Bolivia's road blockades hinder delivery of medicines and medical oxygen

Road blockades in Bolivia's Oruro department and other regions have halted the transport of essential medicines and medical oxygen. The Caja Nacional de Salud reported that pharmaceuticals stored in Patacamaya cannot reach hospitals such as Hospital Obrero, while a technical fault in the hospital's own oxygen plant awaits spare parts blocked from La Paz. The agency relies on the Hospital Santa María de Huanuni and contracts with two oxygen suppliers to meet patient needs.

The Defensoría del Pueblo warned that the prolonged 36‑day blockage is severely affecting vulnerable populations, limiting access to medicines, oxygen, food, fuel and health services across the country. It appealed for free humanitarian transit and urged authorities and protestors to resume dialogue to protect life and dignity.

If the blockades continue, the shortages could worsen health outcomes for chronic‑disease patients and strain the national health system, while also causing substantial economic losses and damaging Bolivia's tourism image.