The Paraguayan government and the National Medical Association (Sinamed) reached an agreement to address the profession’s demands and move toward ending the strike scheduled for September 21 and 22. The proposal must still be reviewed and ratified at a general assembly of doctors; according to Sinamed Secretary-General Rossana González, the meeting date had not yet been announced.
The agreement was formalized at a meeting held on September 14 at Mburuvicha Róga, the presidential residence, with the participation of President Santiago Peña, Vice President Pedro Alliana, Minister of Public Health and Social Welfare Isaías Fretes, Labor Minister Mónica Recalde and Chief of the Civil Cabinet Javier Giménez.
The main point is an increase of up to G. 2 million per contract or employment relationship for contracted, permanent and resident doctors in the public system. The increase will be applied gradually in 2027: G. 500,000 in April, another G. 500,000 in July and G. 1 million in December.
The government estimates that the measure will require about US$102 million. The executive branch attributes these resources to a review of public spending and budget discussions in Congress.
The agreement also provides for accelerating appointments. Of the 2,300 doctors currently submitting documents to move into permanent positions, 490 positions had initially been planned for this year. Another 1,500 positions are planned for 2027.
In medicines and supplies, the proposal includes an additional US$260 million in the 2027 budget. The agreement also covers payment for work on holidays. A Hoy report says the amount would be G. 1 million per holiday worked and that payment would be doubled, but that figure does not appear in the other sources consulted and is therefore not presented here as a consolidated condition of the agreement.
“Today we can say that the four issues causing the strike have been addressed,” González said, according to statements released by the Presidential Press Office. She said she hoped the proposal would be approved and that doctors would play the role of a “constructive watchdog”—that is, monitoring the implementation of the measures—in defense of patients.
Also according to the Presidential Press Office, Isaías Fretes described the agreement as “a historic moment for Paraguayan medicine” and said it was a response to the sector’s “historic demands.” The chief of the Civil Cabinet indicated that formally calling off the strike depends on the assembly’s decision.