World Cystic Fibrosis Day: Families demand medicines and doctors from Health Ministry

Families of people with cystic fibrosis gathered outside Paraguay’s Public Health Ministry on World Cystic Fibrosis Day to demand medicines and protest the departure of specialist doctors.

They said shortages of medication are affecting patients’ quality of life and warned that losing specialists would further compromise care. The families called for medicines to be supplied continuously rather than provided only after repeated monthly appeals to the government.

“We are gathered here because September 8 commemorates the international day for this disease, and we are taking advantage of the occasion to also raise our concerns because we have many shortcomings in treatment and we are missing medicines,” said Maura Servín, one of the protesters.

The families also expressed concern and desperation over specialist doctors resigning during a dispute over salary adjustments that have not changed since 2012. They called on authorities not to accept the resignations, saying they need the specialists to provide their children with a better quality of life.

Cystic fibrosis is a chronic hereditary genetic disorder that causes fluids such as mucus and digestive juices to become thick and sticky. It mainly obstructs the lungs and pancreas, leading to recurrent respiratory infections and nutritional problems. World Cystic Fibrosis Day has been observed on Sept. 8 since 2013 to raise awareness of the disease.

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We are gathered here because September 8 commemorates the international day for this disease, and we are taking advantage of the occasion to also raise our concerns because we have many shortcomings in treatment and we are missing medicines.