In this guide
In Filadelfia, public primary care is provided by the district's family health units (USF), and for emergencies and births without insurance the go-to is the Hospital Materno Infantil de Villa Choferes del Chaco, about 15 km away (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab); MSPBS (opens in a new tab)). Choose by need: consultations and prescriptions at a USF, lab tests at the Policlínico Municipal, emergencies at Villa Choferes or by calling 141, and specialists or admission at a private hospital if you have insurance or can pay.
Which USF clinics are in Filadelfia, and when are they open?
The Health Ministry lists the U'je Lhavós, Teniente Martínez, Filadelfia and Arco Iris USF units in the district, plus the Amistad health post (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)). Consultations are free and medicines sometimes are too.
In August 2024, Filadelfia's USF units opened 7:00 to 15:00, with no on-call doctor or 24-hour care (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). In practice:
- Go early in the morning, especially on a first visit.
- Bring your ID, previous test results and a list of your medicines.
- If you need a specialist, ask for a written referral.
Where to get lab tests
According to patients interviewed by ABC Color in 2024, the USF covers the consultation, but lab tests are done at the Policlínico Municipal de Filadelfia, run by the municipality and described as the most reliable option in the local public system (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
Before you go:
- Ask whether the test requires fasting and from what time samples are taken.
- Bring the doctor's order with your full name and ID number.
- Ask when and how results are delivered (paper, WhatsApp or email) to avoid a second trip.
Emergencies and childbirth
Filadelfia has no public service with 24-hour care. Without insurance, emergencies and complications go to the Hospital Materno Infantil de Villa Choferes del Chaco, about 15 km away, which is also where the ambulances handling emergencies and transfers are based (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). It is run by the Boquerón Governorate and shares staff with the Health Ministry and IPS (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)); an oxygen plant opened there in 2021 (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)).
- Medical emergencies: 141. Police: 911 (ITU (opens in a new tab)).
- Hospital Regional de Mariscal Estigarribia: Barrio Santa María, phone 0494 247333 (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)). By bus, Mariscal Estigarribia is about 2 hours from Filadelfia (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
- Save these details on your phone in advance and know who could drive you if an ambulance is slow.
Private hospital, IPS or insurance?
- Town hospital: on the grounds at Avenida Hindenburg and Avenida Trébol, where the Hospital Museum occupies the colony's first hospital building from 1932 (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). Private care is generally very expensive (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)), so ask for a quote before any admission.
- Cooperative employees: many belong to the Sistema de Ayuda Mutual Hospitalaria (AMH), which has its own clinic (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). If you work for the cooperative, ask HR what it covers.
- IPS: if you are insured, book through the IPS call centre, option 1 (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)), and ask where you are assigned.
- Prepaid health plans: check the company is licensed by the Superintendencia de Salud, which closed six firms in 2024 (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
Prescriptions, heat and travel
- Antibiotics are prescription-only, and the prescription is valid for five days (La Nación, 2021 (opens in a new tab)). Fill it the same day.
- Summer heat goes above 40 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). On 35 to 40 °C days, the Health Ministry advises moving early or at dusk and drinking water often (La Nación, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). For a midday appointment, bring water and don't wait in the sun.
- Most shops close 12:00 to 14:00, on Saturday afternoons and on Sundays (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)), so buy medicines beforehand.
- If you are referred to Asunción, it is about 470 km on the Transchaco (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Take copies of all your test results.
FAQ
Where can I get lab tests in Filadelfia?
In the public system, USF patients have lab tests done at the Policlínico Municipal de Filadelfia, according to ABC Color (2024). Bring the doctor's order and ask beforehand whether you need to fast.
Is there 24-hour emergency care in Filadelfia?
In 2024 no public service in Filadelfia was open 24 hours. Without insurance, emergencies go to the Hospital Materno Infantil de Villa Choferes del Chaco, about 15 km away; the medical emergency number is 141.
Which USF clinics are in Filadelfia?
The Health Ministry lists the U'je Lhavós, Teniente Martínez, Filadelfia and Arco Iris units and the Amistad health post. In 2024 they opened 7:00 to 15:00.
Where is the nearest regional hospital?
The Health Ministry's regional hospital is in Mariscal Estigarribia, Barrio Santa María, phone 0494 247333, about 2 hours away by bus.
