Isaías Fretes announces health reforms and strict doctor productivity controls in Paraguay

Paraguayan Minister of Public Health, Isaías Fretes, has announced a series of reforms and oversight measures aimed at improving the national healthcare system. A primary focus is the implementation of strict productivity controls for doctors. Following a staggered salary increase, Fretes stated that medical professionals must demonstrate performance through a new monthly reporting system to ensure accountability for their increased compensation.

To monitor conditions firsthand, Fretes is initiating unannounced inspections of public hospitals across the country. During his first visit to the Hospital de Trauma, he identified unfinished construction work on an intensive care unit expansion. He emphasized the need for more specialized trauma facilities and increased awareness regarding motorcycle safety.

Additionally, the Ministry of Public Health and the Social Security Institute (IPS) will operate under a ‘unified health front’ to coordinate resources. This partnership, directed by President Pedro Alliana, aims to improve medication availability, implement efficient appointment scheduling systems, and provide specialized training for doctors on communicating critical information to patients and families.