In a recent session of the National Council of Higher Education (Cones), two new Medicine courses in private universities were approved, adding to the two previously approved courses. The President of Cones, Vice Minister of Higher Education Federico Mora, led the session where the authorization was granted, despite criticism from the Paraguayan Circle of Doctors.
The approval of the two medical degrees, one from Universidad Nordeste del Paraguay (UNDP) and another from Universidad Superior Hernando Arias de Saavedra, has raised concerns about the increasing number of medical programs being approved in the country. The UNDP had been operating its Medicine degree without Cones’ approval until a recent judicial ruling allowed them to continue.
The other two approved medical degrees belong to Leonardo Da Vinci University in Hernandarias and Gran Asunción University (Unigran) based in Capiatá. Leonardo Da Vinci University made headlines for issuing a controversial law degree to MP Orlando Arévalo Zielanko, a current member of the Trial Jury of Magistrates (JEM).
Federico Mora defended the approval of the four medical courses, stating that they comply with all necessary requirements and have internship agreements in place with the Ministry of Health. However, the Paraguayan Circle of Physicians expressed concern over the lack of practice fields and teachers for new medical programs, calling the situation “serious and delicate.”
The CPM plans to analyze the situation further and work with Cones to address the issues with medical specializations and programs in the country. The controversial approval of the new Medicine courses has sparked debate among medical professionals and education authorities in Paraguay.