Danger at IPS: Elevator Failures Put Insured Patients at Risk

The already dire situation at Paraguay's Instituto de Previsión Social (IPS) has taken a dangerous turn, with critical infrastructure failures now directly endangering patients. The Central Hospital, meant to be a bastion of healthcare for insured citizens, is plagued by malfunctioning elevators. Out of twenty elevators, a mere fourteen are operational, and even those are reportedly working with significant deficiencies. This poses a severe risk, particularly to the elderly and infirm, who struggle to navigate the hospital's upper floors, as evidenced by the complaints of elderly patients needing to reach the fifth floor for medical consultations.

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They don't fix the elevator; they have to repair it urgently, there are many elderly people and children too. We can't go up to the fifth, sixth floor like this.

This elevator crisis is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a deeper, systemic failure within the IPS. For months, the institution has grappled with severe shortages of medicines and essential supplies, alongside bureaucratic obstacles that impede access to medical appointments. The stalled tender for elevator maintenance, dating back to 2024, exemplifies the administrative paralysis that prevents timely solutions. The recent change in leadership, with the appointment of Dr. Isaías Ricardo Fretes as the new president of the Administrative Council, comes after prolonged periods of unfulfilled promises and highlights the urgent need for effective management.

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It hits the pocket hard, with the salary we have, it's barely enough.

For insured citizens, who contribute monthly to the IPS, this state of affairs is unacceptable. The expectation of quality healthcare is undermined by crumbling infrastructure and a lack of basic necessities. The personal accounts of patients, like Nidia Cuevas de Ríos, who has had to purchase her own blood pressure medication due to shortages, underscore the financial and emotional toll. While some express hope in the new leadership, the immediate reality is one of risk and neglect. The situation at IPS is a stark reminder of the consequences when public services fail to meet the needs of the population they are meant to serve, raising serious questions about resource allocation and administrative accountability in Paraguay.

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I trust Dr. Fretes. He asked all directors to submit their resignations. Only one did.