In this guide
In Itauguá you have three routes to care: the public system (the District Hospital and, for complex cases, the Hospital Nacional), IPS if you have social security, and private practices and clinics. Choose by what you need and your coverage, and before paying for a private visit, check on the Health Ministry portal that the doctor is registered and holds the specialty they claim.
Where to get care in Itauguá
According to Wikipedia (opens in a new tab), Itauguá has a District Hospital (Hospital Distrital), the Hospital Nacional and a local IPS (social security) facility.
- General visit or check-up: the District Hospital if you are uninsured, or IPS if you are insured.
- Complex or referral cases: the Hospital Nacional de Itauguá, in the Itauguá Guasú area south of town (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). It is a high-complexity hospital that receives more than 1,000 patients a day from across the country (opens in a new tab). In April 2026 alone it handled 28,027 consultations, 7,127 of them emergencies, and 1,023 surgeries (opens in a new tab).
- Private practice: if you want a specialist without waiting for a public slot, or a second opinion.
What to expect at the Hospital Nacional
It is the country's big referral hospital, so demand is high. In 2026 it added new intensive-care equipment and is building a shelter for patients and families on long treatments (opens in a new tab). In 2024, patients reported shortages of medicines and supplies that they had to buy at outside pharmacies (opens in a new tab); management replied that it stocked the Ministry's basic medicines list.
Practical tips:
- Bring your ID card (cédula) and previous test results and prescriptions.
- Ask at the desk which supplies or medicines you may be asked to bring, and come with a companion if you will be admitted.
- If you are travelling from another city, leave early: the hospital serves patients from all over Paraguay.
How IPS works for insured patients
If you have IPS, scheduled appointments in the Central department are confirmed by text: IPS sends an SMS and you must confirm or cancel up to 48 hours before, via the link in the message or option 3 of the Call Center (opens in a new tab). If you do not reply, you lose the slot. Keep your phone number up to date with IPS.
How to choose a private doctor or clinic
- Check registration: at controldeprofesiones.mspbs.gov.py (opens in a new tab) you can see whether a doctor or dentist is registered, which specialty is on file and whether the registration is current (opens in a new tab). The portal also has a complaints button.
- Real specialty: if you need a paediatrician, gynaecologist or cardiologist, make sure that specialty appears in the registry, not just on the sign.
- Price and invoice: ask the fee upfront and request an invoice; consumer agency Sedeco reminds that every sale of goods and services must be invoiced (opens in a new tab).
- Private insurance or prepaid plans: the Superintendencia de Salud oversees these companies and in 2024 closed six prepaid health firms in Asunción and Central (opens in a new tab). Check that a company is licensed before signing up.
What to do in an emergency
- Call 141, the pre-hospital medical emergency service (opens in a new tab), or 911 for police emergencies.
- For anything serious, go straight to the emergency department of the Hospital Nacional or the District Hospital; if insured, to IPS emergency.
Prescriptions and medicines
Since November 2018 antibiotics are sold only with a prescription (opens in a new tab). Ask your doctor for a complete, legible prescription and keep a photo in case one pharmacy is out of stock and you need to try another.
Getting there
Itauguá is about 30 km from Asunción, crossed by Ruta 2 (PY02) (opens in a new tab). The Hospital Nacional is in Itauguá Guasú, south of the highway; save the location on your map before you set off.
FAQ
Where is the Hospital Nacional de Itauguá?
In the Itauguá Guasú area in the south of the municipality, about 30 km from Asunción along PY02.
Is there IPS in Itauguá?
Yes, the city has a local IPS facility. Scheduled appointments must be confirmed or cancelled up to 48 hours ahead by SMS or option 3 of the Call Center.
How do I check that a doctor is licensed in Paraguay?
Search controldeprofesiones.mspbs.gov.py: it shows whether they are registered, their specialty on file and whether the registration is current.
What number do I call in a medical emergency?
141 for pre-hospital medical emergencies. For police emergencies, 911.
