In this guide
In Concepción, the go-to place for emergencies and for almost anything a private practice can't handle is the Hospital Regional de Concepción, run by the Ministry of Health and the department's main hospital (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). If you pay into IPS, there is also the social security institute's regional hospital. For a routine visit, pin down the specialty, check your coverage and call before you leave, especially if you're coming from a rural compañía or another district.
Is it an emergency? What to do first
- Serious emergency (chest pain, trouble breathing, an accident): go straight to the Hospital Regional's emergency department. 141 is the SEME medical emergency line and 911 the police (ITU (opens in a new tab)), but SEME's fleet is concentrated in Asunción and Central (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)): in Concepción, if you can move the patient safely, don't wait for an ambulance.
- Renovated emergency unit: in November 2025 the Hospital Regional reopened its emergency department, refurbished with departmental government funds, with separate adult and paediatric areas. The director said it still needed 14 paediatricians or family doctors and 28 nurses (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)), so expect waits.
- With children: if a stomach ache or fever lasts for days, take them to a doctor. In October 2026 a two-year-old girl from barrio San Luis died after being taken only to a folk healer; she reached the Hospital Regional without vital signs and prosecutors are investigating the cause (Hoy (opens in a new tab)).
Hospital Regional: what to expect and what to bring
- Medicines: in September 2026 patients said they had to buy medicines and supplies outside; one spent G. 398,000 on items the hospital pharmacy didn't have. The director said demand outstrips the stock that arrives. The in-house pharmacy is open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Bring cash or a card in case you need to buy.
- Free cataract surgery: the hospital operates on Tuesdays, 8 to 10 patients per session. To get in, go Monday to Friday to the public-health section: booking is same-day from 6 a.m., and the ophthalmology clinic handles the consultation, tests and selection (ABC Color (opens in a new tab); La Nación (opens in a new tab)). Patients come from Horqueta, Pedro Juan Caballero, San Pedro and Puerto Casado.
- Winter: in June 2025 the hospital was seeing about 50 respiratory cases a day and vaccinating more than 100 people a day against flu (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)). Get your flu shot before the cold sets in.
IPS, prepaid plan or private practice
- IPS (social security): in May 2026 the IPS president visited the institute's hospital in Concepción and acknowledged days without an anaesthetist and a shortage of specialists (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). To book, option 1 on the IPS call centre is appointments (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). If you're scheduled for surgery, check early that an anaesthetist will be on duty.
- Prepaid plans: check the company is licensed before signing; in 2024 the Superintendencia de Salud shut six prepaid firms and removed them from its register (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
- Private: confirm the fee and whether they take your insurance before you go.
How to choose a doctor or clinic
- Name the specialty up front: general medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology, dentistry, ophthalmology.
- Ask how they work: appointment or first-come, first-served, and what time numbers are handed out.
- Bring everything: ID, insurance card, previous results and a list of your medicines. Care is in Spanish, so a written summary helps.
- Antibiotics: sold only with a prescription valid for five days (La Nación (opens in a new tab)).
- Heat: in summer the Ministry of Health advises exercising before 10 a.m. or after 5 p.m. and drinking plenty of water (MSPBS (opens in a new tab)); bring water if you'll queue at midday.
If you're referred to Asunción
If you need a specialist or test that isn't available in Concepción, the bus to Asunción takes about 6 hours, with departures every 1.5 to 2 hours between 5 a.m. and 11:15 p.m. The terminal is about eight blocks north of Presidente Franco street (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). Get the referral and results in writing, book before you travel and carry copies of everything.
FAQ
Where is emergency care in Concepción?
At the Hospital Regional de Concepción, run by the Ministry of Health. Its emergency unit was refurbished in 2025 with separate adult and paediatric areas.
How do I get free cataract surgery in Concepción?
Go Monday to Friday to the Hospital Regional's public-health section; booking is same-day from 6 a.m. and ophthalmology handles the consultation, tests and selection. Operations are on Tuesdays.
Will I have to buy medicines at the Hospital Regional?
Sometimes: in September 2026 patients bought outside what the in-house pharmacy lacked. The pharmacy is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring cash or a card just in case.
What number do I call in a medical emergency?
141 is the SEME line and 911 the police. Since SEME's fleet is concentrated in Asunción and Central, if you can move the patient safely, don't wait.
