Ingavi hospital nurses demand answers and vow to continue their struggle

Nurses and other health workers at the Ingavi Hospital of Paraguay's Social Security Institute held an assembly on Saturday to denounce heavy workloads, job insecurity and years without salary adjustments.

The workers said several services had become overwhelmed, directly affecting staff responsible for caring for insured patients. They also criticized the number of contracted employees and demanded a regularization process that would cover more workers.

Figures presented at the assembly indicated that about 11,000 health workers remain on temporary contracts. After three years, a regularization process was opened for only 1,000 workers. In nursing, employees said about 4,300 people are contracted, but only 215 places appear to be included.

The workers also said around 15,000 health employees had gone about 15 years without a salary adjustment. They described the situation as unsustainable as living costs rise and job demands increase. They linked nurses' resignations to working conditions and the authorities' lack of response.

Members of the Sinadips union said they would continue protesting and fighting for better conditions. They also alleged workplace persecution of staff performing care duties, while acknowledging exceptions among supervisors, technical officials, coordinators and department heads. At the end of the assembly, they urged colleagues to remain united and join future actions in pursuit of job stability and improved working conditions.