Twelve pediatric intensive-care doctors resign from Ciudad del Este hospital

Twelve of the 13 pediatric intensive-care specialists at Ciudad del Este Regional Hospital have resigned after negotiations with the government over a salary adjustment failed.

The doctors submitted their notice on Monday, following a five-day strike. Their departures will take effect after the required notice period and could leave the hospital with only one pediatric intensivist.

Lea Acevedo, one of the doctors who resigned, said the group informed Federico Schrodel, director of the Alto Paraná Health Region. She described the situation in the public health system as being in “extreme crisis,” citing shortages of supplies, infrastructure problems and the daily difficulties faced by patients and their families.

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At the ministry level they say proudly that there are 62% of supplies, but the reality here is different. We hand the prescription to the family member and they have to fend for themselves. We will no longer pretend to be social workers. We will no longer be accomplices of this government that is ignoring us.

Acevedo estimated that the hospital has only 20 percent of the supplies listed on prescriptions given to patients’ relatives. Idalia Medina, president of the Alto Paraná Medical Association, said doctors in public health centres across the department were effectively standing with their “arms down.”

Medina disputed ministry-level claims that supplies were available at 62 percent. “At the ministry level they say proudly that there are 62% of supplies, but the reality here is different,” she said. “We hand the prescription to the family member and they have to fend for themselves. We will no longer pretend to be social workers. We will no longer be accomplices of this government that is ignoring us.”

Other doctors at the regional hospital could join the resignations if no solution is reached. Medina apologized to the public, saying, “We are truly sorry to all citizens, because we did not want to reach this situation, but the government forced us.”

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We are truly sorry to all citizens, because we did not want to reach this situation, but the government forced us.