Medical Societies Express Support for Doctors' Strike

Several scientific medical societies have issued statements expressing their support and solidarity with the doctors' strike, which begins Wednesday and will last until Friday. These societies maintain that the demands put forth by the National Doctors' Union (Sinamed) are just, legitimate, and necessary. They emphasize that these claims go far beyond mere salary concerns and are crucial for comprehensively strengthening the public health system.

The national doctors' strike, announced by Sinamed, commences after four tripartite meetings failed to yield agreements with the Ministry of Health. The union's demands include a salary adjustment to compensate for the loss of purchasing power since 2012, when doctors' earnings dropped from an estimated 2.8 minimum wages to 1.5. They also call for an end to precarious employment for thousands of doctors who have worked as contractors for over a decade.

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During years, the doctors have sustained the health system of Paraguay with commitment, permanent training, long working days and enormous professional responsibility, many times in conditions that are far from adequate.

Furthermore, the doctors are demanding the replenishment of health services, which are facing a significant crisis due to shortages of medicines and supplies. They also seek payment for holidays worked. In response to these grievances, numerous medical societies have released communications backing the union and its planned action. It is estimated that more than 1,500 health care centers will be affected, although essential services will remain operational.

The Paraguayan Society of Pediatrics, for instance, has officially expressed its support for the national medical strike. The Paraguayan Society of Pediatric Intensive Care (Sopacip) considers the doctors' claims to be fair, legitimate, and essential, highlighting that they aim to bolster the public health system holistically. Sopacip noted that doctors have sustained the Paraguayan health system for years through commitment, continuous training, long hours, and immense professional responsibility, often under inadequate conditions. They stressed that doctors' remuneration has not kept pace with salary evolution or the cost of living since 2012, leading to a progressive loss of purchasing power and economic recognition.

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From the year 2012, the remuneration of doctors has not accompanied the evolution of salaries nor the cost of living, producing a progressive loss of their purchasing power and of the economic recognition corresponding to the responsibility that the exercise of the medical profession implies. This situation must be reversed.