Patients endure freezing waits at Paraguay's Hospital de Clínicas
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Patients at the Hospital de Clínicas in Asunción, Paraguay, complained about long waits in cold conditions for ophthalmology appointments.
- They reported waiting in a corridor exposed to temperatures as low as 3°C, particularly affecting children and the elderly.
- Patients are calling for infrastructure improvements to ensure safer and more dignified waiting conditions.
Patients seeking ophthalmology services at the Hospital de Clínicas, affiliated with the National University of Asunción's Faculty of Medical Sciences, have voiced strong complaints about prolonged waiting times in uncomfortably cold conditions. On Tuesday morning, individuals reported arriving early and enduring hours in a corridor exposed to temperatures as low as 3°C. This situation particularly impacted vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, who were forced to use blankets for warmth while waiting. Patients expressed concern that the lack of a properly enclosed waiting area could lead to respiratory illnesses due to extended exposure to the elements. Ada Luz Galeano, one of the patients, stated that the situation has persisted for years and called for significant improvements. The affected individuals urged the hospital administration to enhance the waiting facilities to provide more secure and dignified access to medical care. Attempts to reach the hospital director, Jorge Giubi, for comment were unsuccessful.
This has been happening for years and I think the way they make patients wait should drastically improve.
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.