Paraguay’s Liberal Party blames Peña for health crisis and demands Barán’s dismissal

Paraguay’s Liberal Party has placed President Santiago Peña’s government directly behind the country’s health crisis and called for the immediate removal of Health Minister María Teresa Barán.

PLRA President Alcides Riveros convened the party’s political committee to discuss the public health system, a doctors’ strike and mass medical resignations. The meeting also addressed shortages at hospitals and the Social Security Institute, known as IPS, along with a lack of basic supplies.

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Because we reached this crisis precisely because she failed to anticipate the situation we are facing

After the meeting, Riveros said the party would hold the Peña government responsible for whatever happens next in the public health system. He said Barán had failed to anticipate the crisis and was responsible not only for the demands raised by medical workers, but also for shortages and precarious supplies.

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We hold the national government responsible. Therefore, we demand the immediate dismissal of the Health Minister

The PLRA said it would form a technical team of party economists and doctors and present a plan to address the health system’s problems. Riveros acknowledged that removing the minister alone would not resolve the lack of money and supplies, but argued that a minister must foresee such situations because “health is the most important thing for all Paraguayans.”

The party set no deadline for the government to respond and said it would take no concrete action until its technical team presents its plan. Riveros also rejected reviving a censure motion or impeachment process against Barán, saying an earlier proposal lacked the votes required for an absolute majority.

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health is the most important thing for all Paraguayans