Paraguay healthcare crisis as neonatologists resign en masse

Paraguay is facing a significant healthcare crisis following mass resignations by pediatric intensivists and neonatologists across several national hospitals. In Asunción, 25 neonatologists at the Hospital Materno Infantil de San Pablo have resigned, representing approximately 60% of the staff in critical neonatal areas and up to 70% of total labor contracts in that sector.

Nationwide, the impact is severe, with reports indicating that approximately 70 out of 93 pediatric intensivists in the public sector have submitted resignations. Affected facilities include the Hospital Nacional de Itauguá and Hospital Santísima Trinidad. Medical professionals cite extreme physical and emotional exhaustion, alongside a critical shortage of basic supplies such as syringes and dextrose solutions.

The resignations are linked to ongoing demands by the Sindicato Nacional de Médicos (Sinamed), which include salary adjustments to at least 2.8 minimum wages, formal appointments for contracted staff, guaranteed basic supplies, and improved working conditions. Similar waves of resignations have previously affected pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, and service heads at the National Cancer Institute.