In this guide
In Pedro Juan Caballero you have three routes: the Ministry of Health public system (the Regional Hospital plus its outpatient clinics at the Centro de Especialidades Juan Pablo II), the IPS social security hospital if you pay into it, or a private doctor. Choose by specialty, because some are not available in the public system, and check any private doctor in the Ministry's register before you pay. In an emergency, call 141, Paraguay's medical emergency line (ITU (opens in a new tab)).
Where does the public system see patients?
- Centro de Especialidades Juan Pablo II (barrio Obrero): home of the Regional Hospital's outpatient clinic. In 2024 consultations moved there while the hospital was being refurbished, with extended hours until 22:00 (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)), and it still housed the service in April 2026 (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Ask for current hours before you go.
- Children: the paediatric clinic there saw 80 to 90 children a day with three paediatricians per shift (Prensa Mercosur, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Arrive early and bring the vaccination card.
- Hospital Regional de Pedro Juan Caballero: the Ministry hospital for emergencies, admissions and tests. It recently added a CT scanner and ultrasound (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
Which specialties are available, and which are missing?
In April 2026 the regional health authority added 16 specialists in the city: family medicine, orthopaedics and trauma, paediatrics, internal medicine, urology, general surgery, oncological surgery, trauma surgery, adult cardiology and emergency medicine (ABC Color, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
What you will not find in the public system, per the same report, is ophthalmology, neurology or dermatology. In November 2025 a private consultation in those fields cost at least G. 200,000 (ABC Color, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). If you need an eye doctor or neurologist, go private or through your insurer rather than queueing all morning.
What about medicines at the hospital?
In 2024 the Regional Hospital's medical director said it had 85 to 90% of the drugs it needed, including those for cancer and dialysis patients, with gaps such as losartan due to delayed tenders (ABC Color, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- After your consultation, ask the hospital pharmacy for the prescribed drug before you buy it privately.
- Antibiotic prescriptions are valid for five days, so fill them right away. See our guide to pharmacies in Pedro Juan Caballero.
When does IPS apply?
If you are formally employed and contribute to IPS, your hospital is the IPS Regional Hospital, opened in May 2020 (La Nación, 2020 (opens in a new tab)), with 25 inpatient beds and 10 emergency beds (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Bring your ID (cédula) and proof that contributions are up to date.
- Book early and keep a copy of every order and referral, especially if you are sent to Asunción.
How do you check a private doctor?
The Ministry of Health runs an online lookup at controldeprofesiones.mspbs.gov.py (opens in a new tab) that shows whether a doctor or dentist is registered, which specialty is on file and whether the registration is current, with a complaints option (Hoy (opens in a new tab)). In a city with around 15,000 medical students (InfoNegocios, 2024 (opens in a new tab)), make sure the person treating you is listed as a doctor with the specialty they claim, not just on a business card or Instagram.
If you buy a prepaid health plan, the Superintendencia de Salud supervises those companies and can shut them down when they breach Law 2319/06 (Última Hora, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Get the plan's network of clinics in Pedro Juan in writing, plus which one covers 24-hour emergencies.
What should you ask when booking?
- Whether the doctor sees your case: adult or child, first visit or follow-up.
- The consultation price and whether they take guaraníes, reais, QR or card.
- Whether lab tests and ultrasound are done on site or referred.
- What to bring: ID, insurance card, previous results and a list of your medicines.
Save 141 and your insurer's number in your phone separately from clinic contacts, so you are not searching in an emergency.
FAQ
Where are the Regional Hospital's outpatient clinics in Pedro Juan Caballero?
At the Centro de Especialidades Juan Pablo II in barrio Obrero, according to ABC Color (April 2026). Check hours before you go.
Is there an ophthalmologist or neurologist at the public hospital?
According to ABC Color (2025 and 2026), no: ophthalmology, neurology and dermatology are missing from the public system, so those visits are private.
Where does IPS treat patients in Pedro Juan Caballero?
At the IPS Regional Hospital, opened in 2020, with 25 inpatient and 10 emergency beds. Bring your ID and up-to-date contributions.
How do I check whether a doctor is registered in Paraguay?
Use controldeprofesiones.mspbs.gov.py, the Ministry of Health lookup showing registration, specialty and validity.
