The National Doctors' Union announced a nationwide strike in the public health sector for the period from August 24 to 28. The action was decided at a meeting held last Friday and is primarily demanding a pay raise for public-sector professionals.
Dr. Rossana González, the union's secretary-general, stated that during the strike days, only emergency care will be maintained at public health centers. Scheduled appointments and surgeries will be suspended.
González said that a doctor's current salary in the public system is 5 million guaraníes and that, in nearly 15 years, the adjustment has been minimal. In 2012, the salary was 4.6 million guaraníes. She called the situation "intolerable" and warned that, "within a couple of years, we will be matching the minimum wage" of the general population, which receives annual adjustments.
The union leader questioned the lack of periodic raises for doctors, arguing that the same economic factors affecting the population — such as inflation — also impact health professionals. According to her, the Ministries of Health and Economy did not provide a justification for the lack of salary adjustments, claiming only a lack of resources.