Paraguay Health Insurance

One of only two landlocked countries in South America, the Republic of Paraguay shares borders with Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia. It is often referred to as Corazón de América, or the ‘heart of America’ due to its central location. In 1811 Paraguay achieved independence from Spain, and later that century lost two thirds of its adult males as well as much of its territory in the War of the Triple Alliance from 1865-70. The population of Paraguay is currently estimated at around 6.4 million with around 2 million living in the capital, Asuncion. In recent years Paraguay has been buoyed by reports of the highest economic growth of all the South American countries, hitting 14.5 percent in 2010. Following the global recession, the Government introduced a number of successful fiscal and monetary stimulus packages, however the country still has many barriers to growth: corruption, political instability and insufficient infrastructure being the main ones impeding the country from further expansion.

The country has two official languages. Guarani, an indigenous tongue, relatively unique to Paraguay is spoken at home by the majority while Spanish is used in business and formal settings.

Paraguay’s land area of 406,752 square kilometers is divided by the river, Rio Paraguay, which flows 2,621 kilometers to the Atlantic Ocean and passes through four countries. The Itaipu dam, which Paraguay shares with Brazil and is fed by the Parana River, is the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant. Along with hydropower, Paraguay is rich in other natural resources of timber, limestone and iron ore. The climate varies across the country from subtropical to temperate, with eastern areas experiencing substantial rainfall. Domestic travellers make up the majority of tourists in Paraguay, although international tourists are visiting the country in increasing numbers in search of unique experiences. Many of the top attractions in Paraguay involve the country’s natural attributes such as wildlife safaris, watching jaguars in one of the National Parks, visiting one of the many beautiful waterfalls or cruising down the Paraguay River. Having increased its focus on tourism, the country offers many environmental and cultural attractions, however travellers who plan on exploring areas outside the capital should expect lower levels of service and a decreased standard of facilities. Comprehensive health insurance should be arranged to cover unforeseen injury or illness while travelling in Paraguay.

Paraguay Health Care and Insurance

The Ministry of Public Health and Welfare is responsible for the delivery of healthcare to the populace. Many challenges exist within the Paraguayan healthcare system; namely, a lack of financial resources and shortages of medical personnel. A mere US$ 305 is spent by the Government per capita on healthcare, which is far less than other South American countries. Paraguay also falls behind its neighbors in terms of the number of physicians and nurses within the profession. There are approximately 11 physicians per 10,000 population and only 18 nurses/midwives, compared to the regional averages of 23 physicians and 65 nurses/midwives elsewhere. Government statistics also note there are only 1.33 hospital beds per 1,000 inhabitants, another healthcare metric where Paraguay ranks as one of the lowest in the region. Despite the low public health spend, much time and investment over recent years has been directed into maternal and infant health, which has delivered significant results in health outcomes for women and children. The child mortality rate has dropped from an average of 29.5 deaths per 1,000 children in 2002 to 17.48 in 2011, moving Paraguay ahead of Argentina and Colombia, which it was previously trailing.

The prevalence of disease is also a public health threat. 35 percent of all deaths are a result of communicable diseases compared to a regional average of 20 percent. The health of those living in rural areas is significantly lower than that of those living in urban areas, with malnutrition and poor sanitation at the root of most health issues. It is thought that approximately 60 percent of the population lives in poverty. Access to adequate healthcare, especially for rural dwellers is an ongoing challenge for the Ministry of Public Health, with around 25 percent of the population still estimated to be without healthcare services. Despite these issues, estimated life expectancy is relatively high for the region, at 73 years for males and 78 years for females.

In the capital, high quality private medical facilities can be found which provide a wide range of medical services, including the dispensing of prescription and over the counter medicines. Outside of the capital, however, medical facilities are limited and in some areas may not exist at all. Expatriates and travelers to Paraguay should ensure that they have comprehensive Paraguay medical insurance that will cover all planned activities. Cover should include payment of hospital expenses, ground and air ambulance transportation and repatriation to country of origin. Although most emergencies can be treated in the capital city, for some serious illnesses or severe injuries, air evacuation could be required. This is expensive, so visitors should be prepared for all eventualities. Expatriates should also note that physicians often require payment upfront so visitors should be prepared for this.

Paraguay Travel Insurance Concerns

Prior to travel, those intending to visit Paraguay should visit a healthcare provider who specializes in travel medicine to obtain up-to-date medical advice. There are a number of recommended inoculations for travellers to Paraguay: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever and Rabies, with the latter suggested for those intending to spend a significant amount of time outdoors. Dengue Fever is endemic in the region and in April 2011, the Paraguayan Health Ministry reported 3989 confirmed cases and 20 deaths from the disease. In some areas, Malaria is also present, and depending on proposed itinerary, taking an antimalarial drug may be necessary. Occasional outbreaks of Leishmaniasis also occur, and because all of these diseases are contracted via mosquitos and no pre-exposure vaccines exist, avoidance measures for preventing bites would be prudent. Wearing long sleeved clothing, using an insect repellent and sleeping in air conditioned rooms will decrease the risk of insect bites. Travel advisories also recommend that visitors and expatriates purchase comprehensive medical insurance prior to travel to Paraguay, to cover any costs as a result of unexpected emergencies.

Home invasions, armed robbery and car theft are a problem in both rural and urban areas, and street crime is apparent in major cities. Corruption is one of the biggest problems facing Paraguay and despite efforts to wipe it out, also remains an issue in its police force. Police are frequently involved in criminal activities and actively take bribes. Road users can also find driving conditions hazardous. Limited driving education is available and locals only have to reach minimal standards before being granted a driving license. Travelling at night is not advised as animals, pedestrians and cars, without lights pose a hazard. Criminals also actively target motorists during the hours of darkness. Expatriates and visitors planning to drive in Paraguay should be prepared to drive defensively, and should ensure that they have comprehensive car and travel insurance. Because traffic related accidents are a leading cause of injury amongst travellers, comprehensive health insurance should also be arranged.

Paraguay Expat Health Insurance

Expatriates and visitors to Paraguay can expect a good level of healthcare if the need for treatment arises whilst in the country. Private facilities can provide care for most emergencies; however, air evacuation may be necessary to either Panama or USA in severe cases. Air evacuation can be extremely expensive and travel advisories recommend that those visiting Paraguay take out comprehensive insurance to cover such occurrences. Expat Medical Insurance can provide a free quotation to cover all your travel and medical needs, including emergency medical evacuation, doctor’s fees and specialist consultations. Call one of our experienced advisors today for a free quote.