How much do doctors earn per hour? Former health deputy minister explains

A dispute over doctors’ pay in Paraguay has turned attention to how the country values medical work by the hour.

The National Medical Union, Sinamed, is seeking a salary adjustment, saying doctors have not received one since 2012. Health workers are also demanding more supplies and medicines in hospitals, holiday pay and more secure employment for thousands of contracted doctors.

The dispute comes as doctors and specialists resign in large numbers, while hospital department heads and directors place their positions at the disposal of the Ministry of Public Health network.

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Doctors earned 550,000 guaraníes, others earned 1.5 million, and others were lucky enough to have a friend and earned 2 million.

Julio Rolón Vicioso, a former deputy health minister, said health workers formed the National Federation of Health Workers in 2006 because pay was deeply unequal. He recalled doctors earning 550,000, 1.5 million or 2 million guaraníes, while nurses earned between 350,000 and 500,000 guaraníes. Contracts could last three or six months rather than a full year.

“Doctors earned 550,000 guaraníes, others earned 1.5 million, and others were lucky enough to have a friend and earned 2 million,” Rolón said, describing “total disorder.” He said the federation established salary floors by occupational group, using factors including training, residency, specialization and the civil, criminal, administrative and ethical responsibilities of medical decisions.

The doctors’ salary floor stood at 2.15 million guaraníes in 2006. It rose to 3.75 million in 2011, exceeded 4 million in October that year and later reached 5 million guaraníes. Rolón said it has barely changed since then.

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Total disorder, including three-month and six-month contracts, and never an annual contract.