Sinamed rejects government announcements and does not rule out another doctors’ strike

Paraguay’s doctors’ union has rejected the government’s latest response to a deepening dispute over pay and working conditions, with its president warning that another national strike remains possible.

Rosanna González, president of the National Doctors’ Union, said the profession felt “widespread indignation” after the government ruled out a salary increase. She called the announcement “extremely aggravating” and said it offered “nothing concrete” beyond what officials had presented before.

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widespread indignation

The government announced funding for medicines and hospital supplies, along with the cancellation of debts to suppliers. González acknowledged the announced $760 million allocation for medicines and supplies as the only concrete point, but said the union would formally demand a breakdown showing where the money would go.

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extremely aggravating

She criticized the lack of a direct response on salary adjustments and rejected the proposed health-care career framework as uncertain. In her view, the proposal would require congressional debate and would not establish the minimum salary doctors are seeking. She also called the plan to appoint 2,000 doctors in 2026 insufficient, saying it would not address the needs of 9,000 professionals.

The government said President Santiago Peña’s priority was to preserve public-finance balance while maintaining hospital equipment. Sinamed will hold an extraordinary general assembly on September 3, when doctors will discuss their next steps and may consider another nationwide strike.

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nothing concrete, absolutely nothing concrete, about the requests