Hospital in Paraguay: Patients Wait Hours in Long Lines for Diabetology Appointments

Patients at San Lorenzo General Hospital, known locally as Hospital Calle'í, faced grueling waits and long queues on June 9, 2026, as they attempted to schedule appointments for the diabetology department. The situation highlighted significant issues with patient access to specialized medical care.

Many individuals arrived at the hospital in the early morning hours, with some even spending the night on the premises to ensure they could secure a consultation slot. The high demand led to significant crowds and forced numerous patients to stand in line for most of the morning. Available appointments were for roughly a month later, further fueling patient frustration.

Nidia Correa, one of the affected patients, reported that many, including numerous elderly individuals, had arrived before dawn. She emphasized the need for more efficient appointment scheduling systems to prevent patients from enduring such extensive waiting periods. To appease the disgruntled crowd, hospital staff offered milk and cookies to those waiting.

Hospital Director Sofía Ramos defended the hospital's new appointment system, stating it was implemented to address inconsistencies in the number of appointments previously given. She explained that the goal was to provide more slots and optimize the service. However, despite the director's assurances, patients continue to voice their dissatisfaction with the lengthy queues and the considerable delays in accessing specialist consultations.