Social security systems face financial and technical crises in Nicaragua and El Salvador

In Nicaragua, the Instituto Nicaragüense de Seguridad Social (INSS) is facing a growing deficit as the number of pensioners outpaces contributors. To prevent bankruptcy, the government has transferred over 16 billion córdobas to the institution since 2022. Projections from the General Budget of the Republic indicate that approximately 5.18 billion córdobas are scheduled for transfer in 2026 alone, a figure more than six times higher than the 800 million córdobas transferred in 2022.

Despite these massive state injections, the INSS accumulated a deficit of 5.5 billion córdobas between 2022 and 2024. Experts suggest that these transfers act as a temporary measure that fails to address the underlying structural issues of the social security system.

In El Salvador, the Sindicato de Médicos Trabajadores del Instituto Salvadoreño del Seguro Social (SIMETRISSSS) has reported recurring IT failures within the Instituto Salvadoreño del Seguro Social (ISSS). These technical issues, characterized by system slowness and interruptions, have disrupted medical services for at least seven days.

The failures affect electronic medical records, prescription issuance, laboratory orders, and surgical scheduling. Patients have reported being unable to obtain necessary medications, and medical staff warn that these delays threaten the continuity and timeliness of patient treatments.