In Capiibary, an unusual protest drew attention on Wednesday. A group of elderly people, accompanied by representatives from local civil organizations, gathered in front of the city's basic hospital to demand improvements in public healthcare. To draw attention to the cause, one of the protesters, Pedro Martínez, crucified himself at the entrance, remaining motionless for several hours.
The organizers are calling for the hospital to be reclassified from basic to district status, which would allow it to offer specialties such as urology, traumatology, mammography, gynecology, pulmonology, and ophthalmology, as well as 24-hour X-ray services. They also demand the creation of a geriatric section, as the municipality has more than 2,000 elderly residents, many living in extreme poverty and with health problems.
Another demand is the immediate opening of two Family Health Units (USF) in the communities of Potrerito and Yvy Marane'y, as well as extending the opening hours of the USF in the 3 de Novembro company to include weekends. According to the protesters, many residents have difficulty traveling to distant locations in case of emergency.
Pedro Martínez, who led the action, criticized the lack of special attention for the elderly in public hospitals. "It is regrettable that older people do not receive special treatment due to the disinterest of national authorities," he said. He also questioned the management of elderly pensions, alleging that thousands have not yet received the benefit due to a lack of funds, while parliamentarians and employees of binational entities receive high salaries.
The hospital director, Dr. Nery Cáceres, said that since he took office about a year ago, he has been working with the Directorate of the Second Health Region to improve care.