# Paraguay medical strike intensifies with road closures > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/paraguay-public-health-sector-labor-disputes > Updated: 2026-08-26T11:00:59.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 4. The national strike by Paraguayan medical professionals, organized by the Sindicato Nacional de Médicos (Sinamed), continues as negotiations reach a critical impasse. The union is demanding a salary increase from approximately 5 million to 8 million Guaraníes per 12-hour weekly contract, citing a loss of purchasing power that has remained unaddressed since 2012. The union has also expanded its demands to include the permanent appointment of contracted staff and the provision of essential medicines. The government, via the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Public Health, has rejected the primary demands, stating that the requested 30% increase is “financially unfeasible” and would cost an estimated USD 128 million. While officials have proposed alternatives like a medical career ladder (escalafón) and specialist incentives, legislative mediation has introduced new proposals. Senator Lilian Samaniego has suggested a middle-ground salary floor of 7 million Guaraníes to be implemented gradually. The crisis has escalated as pediatric surgeons have threatened mass resignations. Protesters have moved demonstrations toward Encarnación to coincide with the World Rally Championship to increase visibility. On August 26, the strike caused intermittent road closures in the Misiones department, specifically at the Santa María crossing on route PY01. These blockades, supported by medical students and elderly representatives, disrupted the movement of National Police officers traveling to provide security for the WRC Rally Paraguay. The strike continues to disrupt outpatient consultations and scheduled surgeries, though emergency services remain operational. ## Claims - The Paraguayan medical strike is scheduled from August 24 to August 28 (disputed by 8 sources) - The medical strike has been declared indefinite following failed negotiations with the Ministry of Economy. (disputed by 2 sources) - Sinamed claims doctors have not had a proper salary update since 2012 (corroborated by 9 sources) - University teachers in Argentina are holding a 48-hour national strike on August 27 and 28 (corroborated by 9 sources) - Argentine university teachers are striking for salary increases and the implementation of the University Financing Law (corroborated by 9 sources) - The medical union is demanding a salary increase of 3 million Guaraníes per contract to reach 8 million Guaraníes. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The medical strike will suspend outpatient consultations and scheduled surgeries (corroborated by 6 sources) - Sinamed reports that approximately 9,000 out of 11,000 public health doctors are contract workers (corroborated by 5 sources) - The current budget does not allow for the requested salary increases. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Sinamed is demanding a medical minimum salary equivalent to 2.8 minimum wages (corroborated by 3 sources) - Doctors are demanding double pay for holidays worked (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Paraguay medical strike intensifies over salary and supply demands Paraguayan doctors are on a national strike demanding higher salaries and better supplies. The government claims the requested increases are financially unfeasible, proposing career incentives instead. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/honduran-nursing-unions-reach-agreement-to-reinstate-dismissed-staff ### 2026-08-26: Misiones medical strike causes road closures in Paraguay Medical professionals in Misiones, Paraguay, held road closures on route PY01 during a national strike led by Sinamed, affecting transit and police movements. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/misiones-medical-strike-causes-road-closures-in-paraguay ### 2026-08-21: Medical strike in Paraguay begins following failed negotiations Medical professionals in Paraguay are on a national strike through August 28 over salary and contract disputes, while university professors in Argentina have announced a 48-hour strike over funding and wages. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paraguay-doctors-to-launch-national-strike-after-failed-negotiations ### 2026-07-22: Paraguay health workers strike over wages and supplies Paraguayan doctors plan a strike Aug 24‑28 over salary and contract issues, while nurses protest in Asunción for more budget, hiring and supplies under President Santiago Peña. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paraguay-health-workers-strike-over-wages-and-supplies --- Cite as: Paraguay medical strike intensifies with road closures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/paraguay-public-health-sector-labor-disputes