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Instituto De Prevision Social
The Instituto de Previsión Social (IPS) is Paraguay's social security institution and also runs a large public health network. It often appears in stories about pensions, contributions, hospitals, and medicine supply.
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Paraguay's Public Prosecutor's Office has charged nine people, including two former presidents of the IPS, for an alleged embezzlement of 61 billion guaranis related to a never-completed modular operating room project, amid a crisis at the institution where the Comptroller General's Office points to much larger losses and beneficiaries demand broad investigations.
Paraguay's Prosecutor's Office charged nine former IPS employees, including former presidents, for embezzlement of G. 61 billion in a contract for modular operating rooms never installed.
Paraguay's Public Ministry has requested the preventive detention of two former presidents of the Social Security Institute (IPS) and seven other former officials for an alleged diversion of 61 billion guaranis in unfinished works. In separate cases, former mayor Miguel Prieto will stand trial for a simulated purchase during the pandemic, and three people are accused of fraud against Mennonite settlers.
Paraguay's Social Security Institute seeks to recover $711 million from private companies and proposes a trust as a solution, while facing budget pressure in healthcare, with most medication funds consumed by oncology drugs.
A study by Aneaes indicates that graduates from accredited programs in Paraguay earn up to 13% higher salaries in formal employment, while a critic points out that the public sector is the largest employer of professionals from non-accredited courses.
IPS plans to refinance short-term liabilities to free about 105 billion guaranis a month for medicines. The Economy Ministry and a Senate committee currently oppose bonds and emergency legislation, respectively.
The crisis in Paraguay's public health system and social security institute IPS is forcing families to cover high out-of-pocket costs for medications and treatments, driving many into financial ruin.
The IPS (Instituto de Previsión Social), Paraguay's social security agency, announced a gradual restocking of over 180 medicines that had been unavailable nationwide, pledging to restore normal inventory levels within 15 days following the crisis that affected patients, especially those with cancer.