“The hospital is overwhelmed”: doctor reveals the critical situation facing Paraguay's National Hospital

The National Hospital of Itauguá, a key medical facility in Paraguay, is grappling with one of its worst crises in recent years, marked by severe shortages of medicines, supplies, and personnel, alongside a deteriorating infrastructure. Dr. Junior Gaona, a physician at the hospital, confirmed that images circulating on social media showing patients receiving care in hallways accurately reflect the daily reality. He described the emergency services as completely saturated, with healthcare professionals struggling to meet demand using inadequate resources. Gaona attributed the critical state to years of neglect and underinvestment, noting that while healthcare workers were hailed as 'heroes' during the pandemic, their working conditions have not improved. He stated that medical staff often have to find ways to provide care with limited tools, and sometimes patients must purchase basic supplies themselves if they cannot afford them. The hospital primarily serves low-income individuals who rely on the staff for life-saving treatment. Emergency and Internal Medicine departments alone handle between 250 and 300 patients per 24-hour shift, with General Surgery and Traumatology adding another 70 to 80 patients each. This volume far exceeds the hospital's installed capacity, leading to constant overcrowding, particularly in the surgical intake area where patients are initially processed before being moved to specialized units. The lack of essential supplies, including gloves, syringes, and catheters, further complicates medical procedures.

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The hospital is overwhelmed: a doctor reveals the critical situation facing the HNI.