ISSUP met with Dr. Saúl Recalde, Paraguay’s Vice Minister of Comprehensive Health Care and Social Welfare, to discuss opportunities to strengthen substance use prevention, treatment and care within the health system.
Discussions highlighted the importance of developing programmes that respond to the needs of the Health Ministry staff, including workplace substance use prevention, and promoting coordinated approaches across health services.
A central focus was establishing a system of care for children and adolescents who use substances. Participants discussed the importance of early intervention to reduce their vulnerability to developing substance use disorders, potential exposure to violence, or getting involved in criminal activities or gangs.
Bárbara Correa, ISSUP’s National Chapters Regional Coordinator for Latin America and Spain; Dr. Carmen Sánchez, a member of ISSUP Paraguay’s Board; and María Asunción Cabral, representing the Norberto Bobbio School of Government and Public Policy, ISSUP Paraguay’s host organisation participated in the meeting.
It was agreed that discussions would continue towards a formal agreement or MoU to address the priorities identified during the meeting and support collaboration between ISSUP Paraguay and the Ministry of Health.