Paraguayan Cancer Patients Urge President for Access to Vital PET Scan Studies

Cancer patients and their families in Paraguay are sounding the alarm over the critical shortage of PET Scan studies, a vital diagnostic tool for oncology. The Association of Patients with Cancer and Families (Apacfa) has directed an open letter to President Santiago Peña, Vice President Pedro Alliana, and health and finance ministry officials, demanding action to resolve the crisis.

Apacfa reports a systemic failure to access PET Scan services, attributing the problem to a prolonged deterioration in public health management. Repeated attempts to tender contracts for PET Scan provision have been declared deserted, leaving hundreds of patients in a vulnerable state. This lack of access directly impacts the ability of oncologists to accurately assess tumor progression, monitor treatment effectiveness, and plan subsequent steps in patient care.

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The doctor is left blind.

The core of the issue, according to Apacfa, lies in the government's alleged failure to pay providers for previously rendered services. This accumulated debt has created significant distrust within the private healthcare sector, causing potential bidders to avoid state contracting processes. As a result, patients are left without viable public or private options for this essential examination.

Juana Moreno, president of Apacfa, emphasized the urgency, stating, "Patients cannot wait." She underscored that the PET Scan is not an optional procedure but essential technology that allows oncologists to understand a tumor's exact evolution. Without it, she warned, "the doctor is left blind."

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The difficulty would be related to the non-payment of previously rendered services, which could be affecting the participation of bidders.