Medical strike announced: Health Ministry outlines contingency plans and calls for dialogue

Paraguay's Ministry of Health is preparing contingency plans and has called for dialogue following the National Union of Doctors' announcement of a nationwide strike. The union plans to halt services from August 24 to 28, demanding a salary increase for public healthcare workers. During the strike period, only emergency services will be maintained in public health centers, with scheduled consultations and surgeries suspended. Gustavo Ortiz, the Ministry's Director General of Networks and Services, stated that established working groups are in place to address and listen to the concerns of medical professionals. "I believe we must exhaust all avenues, continue talking, and strengthen this dialogue table, as we are not oblivious to this request, but we must understand that health services, at a national level, must be guaranteed," Ortiz commented. He also mentioned that contingency plans are already in place for long weekends or holidays to ensure adequate guard coverage. The Ministry is now evaluating whether to request the doctors to initiate the working group sessions or if they will convene the meeting themselves with the union's representatives.

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I believe we must exhaust all avenues, continue talking, and strengthen this dialogue table, as we are not oblivious to this request, but we must understand that health services, at a national level, must be guaranteed.