Heated Debate Erupts Over Controversial Health Center Renovation Tender in Paraguay

A contentious tender worth over G5.2 billion (approximately $700,000 USD) for the expansion and renovation of the Itakyry Health Center in Alto Paraná, Paraguay, has been approved, igniting a heated debate among departmental councilors. The award to Consorcio Tape Pyahu faced strong opposition, particularly from councilor Aldo Barrios, who questioned the necessity and quality of the proposed repairs.

Barrios criticized the plan to renovate existing, dilapidated structures, alleging they were poorly constructed less than a decade ago by administrations linked to the Soria political clan. He argued that the government is now being forced to spend public funds to "whitewash" the failures of previous administrations. The clan, led by Miguel Soria, has maintained control of the Itakyry municipality for over two decades, with various family members and allies holding the mayoral office.

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They (Clan Soria) built this pigsty that is falling apart less than 10 years ago.

The project, which includes constructing a new 800-square-meter building and restructuring the old, condemned block, was ultimately approved with 14 votes in favor and 7 against. Councilor Carlos Ávalos defended the project, leading to a verbal exchange with Barrios over the use of terms and the council's right to inspect the site. The contract is multi-year, with over G1.5 billion allocated for this year and the remainder spread across the next.

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We, as Alto Paraná residents, have to go and fix the mess they made as an administration and the money they swallowed in those constructions.