From “sensitivity” to indifference: Peña’s two years of unfulfilled promises to Itauguá

More than two years after Santiago Peña and Leticia Ocampos filmed themselves promising to change conditions at Paraguay’s National Hospital of Itauguá, the hospital remains a setting for doctors’ mass protests and resignations.

In February 2024, the presidential couple visited the hospital and described themselves as moved by what they saw. Ocampos said she had asked Peña not to let his five-year term end without changing the reality faced by patients. Peña acknowledged that doctors and nurses often compensated for shortages of medicines, supplies and infrastructure through extraordinary effort.

The conditions described during that visit included mold-covered walls, broken stretchers and wheelchairs, damaged floors and deteriorating roofs. The article says such conditions have become normalized not only at Itauguá, one of the country’s largest hospitals, but across the public health network relied on by people without private insurance.

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When we leave there, the only thing I asked Santi was that we could not finish these five years without changing the reality of these people.

Two years and six months later, work has begun on a planned high-complexity hospital described as one of the most modern and best-equipped in Latin America. But the existing hospital remains under pressure. Specialists have resigned after waiting for responses to their demands, and doctors have joined a nationwide strike.

The article contrasts Peña’s earlier expressions of solidarity with his more recent public appearances. While health and economy ministers tried to steer talks with the protesting doctors, Peña appeared smiling at the World Rally event. The talks did not produce a solution to the professionals’ complaints.

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We have to recognize the great work done by doctors and nurses, who often compensate for many shortcomings with a smile and truly impressive work.