Patient Transported in Truck Bed Sparks Outrage in Ciudad del Este

A woman lying on a blanket on the floor of a pickup truck has become the image behind a new wave of anger over public healthcare in Ciudad del Este. The vehicle was filmed traveling beneath the kilometer-seven Multiviaduct, apparently toward the city’s Regional Hospital, the main public hospital in Alto Paraná.

The video shows the patient covered as she is carried in the truck bed. The circumstances behind the transfer remain unclear. Authorities have not confirmed that a lack of ambulances led to the use of a private vehicle.

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I’m sure that when they arrived at the hospital there was no bed, that’s how sadly things are in ours.

The footage drew strong reactions online. Ylson Noguera wrote, “I’m sure that when they arrived at the hospital there was no bed, that’s how sadly things are in ours,” referring to the Regional Hospital’s reported continuing overcrowding. Alcira Coronel questioned ambulance availability and wrote, “This is Paraguay, but there were enough ambulances for the rally,” referring to the 44 ambulances assigned by the Ministry of Public Health to the 2026 World Rally Championship event in Paraguay.

Carlos Vera, coordinator of the Tenth Health Region’s Regulatory Center, said he had received no call requesting the patient’s transfer. He said the center has five ambulances, but only two operate 24 hours a day because there are not enough staff to cover the service. Vera added that high demand and limited personnel mean the service practically does not provide pre-hospital care.

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This is Paraguay, but there were enough ambulances for the rally.