Ten years after the introduction of the Health Information System (HIS), supported by the Taiwanese government, into Paraguay's healthcare system, a comprehensive evaluation of its impact is underway. On July 14, 2025, Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung, personally visited the National Institute of Respiratory and Environmental Diseases (Ineram) in Paraguay to inspect the operation of the HIS system and donated 26 BenQ portable ultrasound devices, reaffirming Taiwan's continuous support for Paraguay's healthcare development. This system is being hailed for ushering in a new era by significantly improving the efficiency, transparency, and control of Paraguay's medical services.
The HIS system was first introduced to Paraguay in 2013, thanks to Taiwan's support. At that time, medical records were handwritten, and information sharing was difficult. The HIS system was promoted as part of a strategy to improve these inefficiencies and enhance the quality of medical services.
Today, ten years later, the HIS system is being utilized in 1,033 public medical facilities across Paraguay, and it is estimated that approximately 70% of the entire population benefits from it. This is clear evidence of how crucial a role the HIS system has played in the digital transformation of Paraguay's healthcare infrastructure. Although there was initial resistance to the system's introduction, it gradually became established through user training and continuous improvements.
Key Functions and Achievements of the HIS System
The HIS system has gone beyond simply introducing Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and has brought about various positive changes across the entire Paraguayan healthcare system.
Increased Efficiency: The digitalization of medical records has reduced the workload of medical staff and optimized patient consultation times. In the past, it took a lot of time to find and categorize patient records, but now, with just a few clicks, past medical history, prescription records, and test results can be quickly checked, ensuring continuity of care. This can play a crucial role in saving patients' lives, especially in emergency situations.
Enhanced Transparency and Control: The HIS system has brought about revolutionary changes in medication management. The system detects attempts to reuse prescriptions and allows doctors to instantly check drug inventory, preventing medication misuse and waste. Furthermore, health authorities can closely monitor the amount of medication prescribed by each medical professional, preventing irregularities and early detection of potential inappropriate relationships between doctors and pharmaceutical companies. This contributes to increasing the trustworthiness of the public healthcare system and using budgets efficiently.
Real-time Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of healthcare personnel activities and resource utilization has become possible. Hospital administrators can use the system to identify at which departments patients are concentrated at specific times, which medical equipment is heavily used, etc., allowing for efficient resource allocation and optimized staffing. This contributes to improving the overall efficiency of hospital operations.
Patient-Centered Care: Digitalized medical records enable patient-centered care. Medical professionals can grasp a patient's past medical history and treatment progress at a glance, allowing them to provide more personalized and comprehensive care. Also, as patient information is systematically managed, it facilitates information sharing with other medical institutions when needed, helping patients avoid unnecessary duplicate tests and receive continuous treatment.
Data-Driven Decision Making: The vast amount of data accumulated in the HIS system provides crucial basic information for health policy formulation. Various data, such as disease incidence rates, healthcare service utilization in specific regions, and medication usage trends, can be analyzed and utilized to formulate more effective health policies and allocate resources efficiently.
Taiwan's Continuous Support and Future Plans
Minister Lin Chia-lung's visit to Ineram reaffirmed Taiwan's unwavering commitment to supporting Paraguay's healthcare sector. Minister Lin personally confirmed the successful operation of the HIS system, emphasizing that the cooperation between the two countries is making a tangible contribution to improving public health in Paraguay.
During the visit, 26 BenQ portable ultrasound devices were donated. These devices can be used for immediate diagnosis in medical settings and are expected to be of great help, especially in areas with limited medical access or in emergency situations.
In addition to supporting the HIS system, Taiwan plans to continue its full support for Paraguay's public health sector. One of the most urgent support projects is the construction of a large hospital in Asunción. This project will elevate Paraguay's medical infrastructure to the next level and play an important role in enabling more citizens to receive quality medical services.
Taiwan's continuous support and the Paraguayan government's efforts are expected to further accelerate healthcare digitalization based on the HIS system, ultimately contributing significantly to the health improvement and quality of life of the Paraguayan people. This exemplary case of international cooperation provides important implications for the development of healthcare systems in developing countries.
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