President Santiago Peña inaugurated the Hospital Día Oncológico in Caazapá, in the department of the same name, on Friday and declared that the government is committed to offering cancer care in Paraguay “like what is available in São Paulo.” During his speech, Peña recalled that his mother was diagnosed with cancer more than ten years ago and that the disease can affect anyone.
The new care center joins 14 others inaugurated in the last two and a half years of his administration, according to the president. “We are far from feeling satisfied. We know that what lies ahead is enormous,” he said, adding that the budget of the National Cancer Institute (Incan) has grown more than threefold in that period. “We will continue allocating more resources to buy medicines and hire medical staff.”
Peña highlighted the importance of training doctors in Paraguay and said the government is investing in Incan infrastructure “as never before.” He also mentioned the start of construction of the new Hospital Nacional de Itauguá, which, according to him, “will not only be the largest and most modern hospital in Paraguay but will become a reference throughout South America.”
The Association of Cancer Patients and Families (Apacfa) emphasizes the importance of early detection, continuous access to medicines, and medical services. Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and awareness, early consultation, and continuity of treatment are essential to improve patient survival and quality of life.
In March, the Vice Minister of Comprehensive Health Care and Social Welfare, Saúl Recalde, admitted that four cancer drugs were missing and that another 22 were in critical condition at Incan. In July 2024, after protests by cancer patients and the intervention at Incan, director Raúl Doria resigned, being briefly replaced by Nick Ocampos, who also resigned. The current intervenor, Jabibi Noguera, was appointed by the Ministry of Health.