In this guide
Which medical center you need in Asunción depends on your coverage and how urgent it is. Without insurance, the Policlínico Municipal next to Mercado 4 offers free consultations; if you pay into IPS, use its network, headed by the Hospital Central; and for accidents or serious emergencies, go to the Hospital de Trauma on Avenida General Santos. For an ambulance, dial 141.
Where can you see a doctor for free?
Policlínico Municipal. Mayor Fleitas No. 858, near Teodoro S. Mongelós, in Ciudad Nueva, a short walk from Mercado 4. In April 2025 the city said it opened 07:00 to 17:00 with free consultations; some are first-come, others need a booking through the call center on (021) 225 982 or at the admissions desk (Municipality of Asunción, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Specialties: allergy, cardiology, family medicine, internal medicine, diabetes, gastroenterology, gynaecology, breast care, ophthalmology, ENT, paediatrics, orthopaedics, psychiatry, psychology, learning support, speech therapy, nutrition and physiotherapy.
- Tests: lab work, ultrasound, ECG, HIV and VDRL testing, vaccines, and medicines through an agreement with the Ministry of Health.
- Allergy clinic was added in August 2026: Wednesdays and Fridays, 07:30 to 11:30, free (Municipality of Asunción, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
- Tip: for mental health, eye care or physiotherapy, phone first for a slot rather than queueing on the off chance.
Mobile clinic. It visits neighbourhoods such as Zeballos Cue, San Pablo and Puerto Botánico with medical and dental visits, glucose checks and speech therapy for children, and in some cases hands out free medicines (Municipality of Asunción, September 2026 (opens in a new tab)). Watch the city's social media for its schedule.
Municipal health office (Superintendencia de Salud), Villa Aurelia. On the ground floor of the Palacete Municipal. In April 2025 it opened Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 15:00, free of charge: urgent general medicine first-come, other specialties by booking on 0984 433333. It covers family medicine, blood pressure and diabetes control, nutrition and referrals (Municipality of Asunción, 2025 (opens in a new tab)). Handy if you live toward Mariscal López.
Paying into IPS? Use its network
The Instituto de Previsión Social covers salaried workers and their families, and its main hospital is the Hospital Central Dr. Emilio Cubas in Asunción (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Check that your contributions are up to date before you go.
Watch your bookings: in Asunción and Central, IPS sends a text message and you must confirm or cancel at least 48 hours ahead, via the link or option 3 of the Call Center; if you don't, the slot is lost (Última Hora, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
Accident or serious emergency? Hospital de Trauma
The Hospital de Trauma Manuel Giagni (formerly the Centro de Emergencias Médicas) belongs to the Ministry of Health and is the national referral centre for first aid, handling medical, surgical and trauma emergencies; it also houses the National Toxicology Centre (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Its emergency department runs 24 hours a day, all year (La Nación, 2020 (opens in a new tab)). It sits on General Santos at Teodoro S. Mongelós (Angels Initiative (opens in a new tab)).
For orthopaedic follow-ups, since June 2026 adults (15 and over) book by phone only, Monday to Friday 07:00 to 12:00: (021) 204800, extension 2132, or from a mobile *153 (Claro) or 153 (Tigo and Personal) plus the same extension. Children up to 14 are seen in person at the ground-floor admissions desk, 24 hours. Have the date of your last visit ready (Hoy, 2026 (opens in a new tab)).
Which number for an ambulance?
- 141: SEME, the out-of-hospital medical emergency service.
- 911: National Police.
- 132: Volunteer Fire Department.
All three are on Paraguay's official emergency number list (ITU (opens in a new tab)). Save them in everyone's phone.
Hospital de Clínicas is in San Lorenzo
The teaching hospital of the Faculty of Medical Sciences (UNA) is not in Asunción but on the San Lorenzo campus (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). Each department runs its own booking system: Endocrinology, for example, booked in person from the 1st to the 10th of each month, 08:00 to 11:00, and asked new patients for a referral slip (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Ask how your specialty books before you cross the city.
Going private or using a prepaid plan
- Check the doctor on the Ministry of Health's professional registry (opens in a new tab), which shows registration, registered specialty and whether it is current (Hoy (opens in a new tab)).
- Check the plan: the national Superintendencia de Salud oversees prepaid health plans and in 2024 shut six firms in Asunción and Central (La Nación, 2024 (opens in a new tab)).
- Ask for a written estimate before tests or a hospital stay.
What to carry to any visit: your ID card (cédula or passport), previous reports and prescriptions, a list of your medicines and, at IPS, your confirmed booking.
FAQ
Where can I see a doctor for free in Asunción?
At the Policlínico Municipal (Mayor Fleitas 858, near Mercado 4) and at the municipal health office in the Palacete Municipal, Villa Aurelia. Some specialties need a booking.
How do I book at the Policlínico Municipal?
Some visits are first-come; for others, call (021) 225 982 or book at the admissions desk.
Where should I go after an accident?
To the Hospital de Trauma Manuel Giagni, whose emergency department runs 24 hours. For an ambulance, call 141 (SEME).
What is the ambulance number in Paraguay?
141 for SEME medical emergencies. Police is 911 and the volunteer fire department is 132.
Is Hospital de Clínicas in Asunción?
No. It is on the UNA campus in San Lorenzo, and each department has its own booking rules.
