AGP Executive Report

Colombia Earthquake Response: Paraguay has sent 50 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombia after a 7.4 quake, including medicines, medical supplies, and non-perishable food for affected communities, as the death toll rose to 294 with thousands injured and many still missing. Public Health Capacity: The quake has damaged or disrupted critical services, with authorities reporting widespread harm to health centers and other public infrastructure, underscoring the need for rapid medical support and recovery. Local Weather & Health Risk: Paraguay is preparing for El Niño, with officials warning of warmer winter conditions, stronger storms, and higher flood risk through next summer—plans include clearing waterways and running flood simulations. Health Tech & Access: A new AI Model Accessibility Checker (AIMAC) is being tested to improve how AI-generated websites work with assistive tools like voice control and eye-gaze systems, aiming to boost access for people with spinal cord injury and disease. Health Policy Spillover: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s viral diet comments (keto and “sauerkraut and meat”) are fueling public debate on diet trends—an indirect reminder of how wellness fads can shape health conversations.

Humanitarian Response: Paraguay is sending 50 tons of humanitarian aid to Colombia after a 7.4 earthquake, including medicines, medical supplies, and non-perishable food destined for Medellín, with President Santiago Peña announcing the shipment from Luque’s Silvio Pettirossi airport. Climate & Health Risk: Paraguay is bracing for El Niño impacts from late August, with stronger effects expected through spring and summer 2027; authorities are already clearing waterways and running flood simulations as heavier storms and flood risk could strain health services. Indigenous Food Knowledge: Researchers at the National University of Asunción (FACEN-UNA) published a guide on wild edible plants used by Mbya Guaraní communities in Itapúa, documenting 38 native species and highlighting threats from deforestation to traditional food systems. Public Health Tech: Paraguay’s Health Ministry launched a digital QRSAF platform for citizen feedback, aiming to improve how people can report and engage with health services. Food Safety in Livestock: A Latin America study using corn testing points to widespread fumonisin contamination in corn used for poultry, including samples from Paraguay, underscoring ongoing needs for monitoring to protect animal health and reduce losses.

El Niño Watch for Paraguay: Paraguay’s meteorology agency says El Niño is already forming in the Pacific and is expected to shape weather from late August, with stronger effects into spring and summer 2027—bringing warmer winter conditions, more intense storms, and higher flood risk; the government has started prevention work like clearing waterways and running flood simulations. Food & Health Risks in the Region: Reuters reports Latin America is bracing for what could be the strongest El Niño on record, with mixed impacts—more rain for parts of Paraguay and nearby crop areas, but drought and disruption risks elsewhere that can affect agriculture, energy, and trade. Local Health Tech Feedback Channel: Paraguay’s Health Ministry launched a digital QRSAF platform to collect citizen feedback, aiming to improve how services respond to public concerns. Indigenous Nutrition Knowledge: Researchers at UNA published a guide on wild edible plants used by Mbya Guaraní communities in Itapúa, documenting 38 native species and highlighting how deforestation and land-use change threaten traditional food systems. Agri-Health Safety Signals: A regional study on corn mycotoxins highlights contamination risks across Latin America, including Paraguay, underscoring the need for monitoring in livestock feed chains.

El Niño Watch for Paraguay: Paraguay’s meteorology agency says El Niño is expected to shape weather from late August, with stronger impacts into spring and summer 2027—bringing warmer winter temperatures, more intense storms, and higher flood risk; the government has already started prevention work like clearing waterways and running flood simulations. Food & Health Risks From Climate: A Reuters report warns Latin America could face one of the strongest El Niño events on record, with knock-on effects for crops, energy, and trade; for Paraguay and nearby producers, extra rainfall could help some harvests, but extreme conditions still raise public health concerns. Indigenous Nutrition Knowledge: Researchers at UNA’s FACEN published a guide on wild edible plants used by Mbya Guaraní communities in Itapúa, documenting 38 native species to protect biocultural heritage as deforestation pressures traditional food systems. Mycotoxins in the Region: A study using corn samples across Latin America highlights contamination risks—especially fumonisins—relevant for poultry and food safety, including data that covers Paraguay.

El Niño & Flood Readiness: Paraguay is bracing for El Niño’s arrival from late August, with warmer winter weather, stronger storms, and higher flood risk through spring and summer 2027; the meteorology agency says preventive works are already underway, including clearing waterways and running satellite flood simulations. Animal Health in Disasters: A global animal health body warns that worsening wildfires are becoming a major public health and food-systems issue too, urging countries to formally include veterinarians in prevention, response, and recovery planning as drought and extreme weather intensify. Food Safety & Mycotoxins: Research highlights ongoing mycotoxin concerns across Latin America’s corn supply, with Paraguay included in large sample testing for fumonisins and other contaminants—an issue tied to livestock health and economic losses. Indigenous Food Knowledge: Paraguay’s Mbya Guaraní wild plant guide (from FACEN-UNA) documents 38 edible species and aims to protect traditional nutrition knowledge as deforestation pressures ecosystems. Local Health Tech: Paraguay’s Health Ministry rolled out a digital QR platform for citizen feedback, aiming to improve how people can report and respond to health service issues.

El Niño & Flood Prep: Paraguay is bracing for El Niño impacts from late August, with stronger effects building through spring and summer 2027. The Meteorology and Hydrology Department says the country could see warmer winter conditions, more intense storms, and higher flood risk, prompting preventive works like clearing waterways and running satellite flood simulations. Public Health Feedback Tech: Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Health launched the QRSAF digital platform to centralize citizen complaints, claims, suggestions, thanks, and commendations, aiming for faster routing to the right departments and more transparent handling. Indigenous Food Knowledge: Researchers at UNA published a guide preserving Mbya Guaraní traditional use of wild edible plants in Itapúa, documenting 38 species and highlighting threats from deforestation and land-use change. Workplace Health & Wellbeing: Great Place To Work named 2026 Best Workplaces in Latin America, surveying 2.4 million employees across the region (4.5 million workplace experiences), spotlighting trust-building as a driver of employee wellbeing. Health-Adjacent Food Safety: A regional poultry forum report highlights mycotoxin concerns in corn across Latin America, including Paraguay, underscoring the need for monitoring to protect animal nutrition and reduce losses.

El Niño Watch for Paraguay: Paraguay is bracing for El Niño to influence weather from late August, with warmer winters, stronger storms, and higher flood risk into next summer; authorities have already started preventive works like clearing waterways and running flood simulations. Public Health Feedback Upgrade: Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Health launched the QRSAF digital platform to centralize complaints, claims, suggestions, and commendations, aiming for faster, more transparent handling of citizen reports. Food Safety & Nutrition: A regional study highlights mycotoxin concerns in Latin America’s corn supply, with fumonisins among the most prevalent—relevant for Paraguay’s livestock feed and food-chain safety. Indigenous Knowledge & Plants: Researchers from UNA published a guide preserving Mbya Guaraní wild edible plant knowledge in Itapúa, documenting 38 native species amid pressure from deforestation. Climate & Food Trade Context: Reuters reports Latin America may face the strongest El Niño on record, with mixed impacts—more rain for parts of the south, drought risk for the north—affecting agriculture and trade routes.

Public Health Tech: Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Health launched the QRSAF digital platform to centralize citizen complaints, claims, suggestions, thanks, and commendations—aiming for faster, more transparent handling of feedback across healthcare services. Indigenous Food & Biodiversity: Researchers at UNA’s FACEN documented traditional wild edible plants used by Mbya Guaraní communities in Itapúa, recording 38 native species and warning that deforestation and land-use change could erase food knowledge. Nutrition Safety in Agriculture: A Latin America poultry-focused report highlights mycotoxin concerns in corn, with fumonisins flagged as the most prevalent, including data from Paraguay samples. Climate & Health Risk: July 2026 tied as the hottest month on record, reinforcing heat-related health risks and pressure on public health planning. Community Health Culture: Mate remains a key Paraguay tradition, with yerba mate rooted in Guaraní harvesting and still supporting social wellbeing today.

Food Safety & Nutrition: A Brazil-led study using near-infrared spectroscopy on 19,258 corn samples across Latin America found fumonisins are the most common mycotoxins, with Paraguay included among monitored markets—highlighting the need for fast testing to protect poultry feed and reduce economic losses. Public Health Tech: Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Health launched the QRSAF digital platform to centralize citizen complaints, claims, suggestions, and commendations, aiming for faster routing and more transparent handling of healthcare feedback. Vector Control: Yguazú began using the MosquitOFF app, which blends NASA satellite data with local health reporting to forecast dengue risk and help municipalities and hospitals target mosquito breeding hotspots. Health System Access: Paraguay’s new census-reported indigenous population stands at 140,049 across 19 peoples and 557 communities—useful for planning culturally appropriate health services and outreach. Wildlife & Community Wellness: Asunción Zoo welcomed three capybaras, bringing its total to ten, with vets monitoring their transition from milk to vegetation.

Digital Health Feedback: Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Health launched the QRSAF platform to centralize citizen complaints, claims, suggestions, thanks, and commendations—aiming for faster routing to the right departments and more transparent follow-up. Vector-Borne Disease Tech: The MosquitOFF app is being used in Yguazú to predict dengue risk using NASA satellite data plus local health records, with a seven-day forecast and municipality-wide coverage to help target mosquito control. Indigenous Health & Services Context: Paraguay’s Indigenous population is officially reported at 140,049 across 19 peoples, with 557 communities recorded—useful for planning culturally appropriate health outreach. Public Health Infrastructure: Asunción’s Municipal Plant Nursery in Caballero Park is undergoing renovation to boost plant production for urban greening, supporting healthier public spaces. Health & Safety News: A newborn kidnapped in Brazil was rescued in Pedro Juan Caballero and taken to a regional hospital for routine medical checks before being handed to Brazilian authorities.

Indigenous Health & Equity: Paraguay’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) reports 140,049 people identifying as Indigenous, based on the 2022 Indigenous census—19 peoples across five linguistic families and 557 communities, with 428 in the Eastern Region and 129 in the Chaco—highlighting the scale of communities that need culturally responsive services. Digital Health Access: Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare launched the QRSAF platform for Complaints, Claims, Suggestions, Thanks, and Commendations, aiming to centralize citizen feedback and speed up routing to the right departments for action. Dengue Prevention Tech: Yguazú has adopted MosquitOFF, a NASA-backed dengue prediction tool that blends satellite weather data with local case reports to generate daily risk scores and a seven-day forecast for mosquito-borne diseases. Public Health Capacity: Asunción’s Municipal Plant Nursery in Caballero Park is being renovated for higher production capacity, supporting urban greening that can improve local living conditions. Wildlife & Community Care: Three capybaras were born at Asunción Zoo, bringing the total to ten and reflecting ongoing veterinary care and adaptation in Paraguay’s wetlands species.

Public Health Tech: Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare rolled out the QRSAF digital platform to centralize citizen feedback—complaints, claims, suggestions, thanks, and commendations—so reports are logged, routed to the right department, and handled more transparently and quickly. Infectious Disease Forecasting: Yguazú began using MosquitOFF, a NASA-backed dengue prediction app that blends satellite weather data with local health records to generate daily risk scores and a seven-day outlook, now supported by SENEPA and local hospitals. HIV Prevention Update: At the 26th AIDS Conference in Rio, Merck’s once-monthly PrEP pill (MK-8527/alimatravir) was highlighted as potentially among the cheapest options, though licensing reportedly excludes much of Latin America, including Paraguay’s region. Drug Safety Concern: UNODC-linked reporting says ketamine trafficking is expanding across Latin America and the Caribbean, with cases involving cross-border smuggling routes and growing use of ketamine in illicit synthetic drug mixes. Maternal-Child Safety: Paraguayan and Brazilian police rescued a kidnapped newborn girl near the border, transferring her to Pedro Juan Caballero Regional Hospital for routine exams before handing her to Brazilian authorities. Wildlife & Community Care: Asunción Zoo reported three capybara births, with newborns nursing and gradually shifting to vegetation under veterinary monitoring.

Health Tech & Accountability: Paraguay’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare launched the digital QRSAF platform to centralize citizen complaints, claims, suggestions, thanks, and commendations—aiming for faster routing to the right department and more transparent follow-up. Public Health Innovation: Yguazú began using MosquitOFF, a NASA-data plus local health records app to forecast dengue risk and help target mosquito breeding hotspots, with a seven-day outlook and real-time case inputs feeding local alerts. Maternal & Child Safety: Paraguayan and Brazilian police rescued a kidnapped newborn girl in Pedro Juan Caballero, transferring her to the regional hospital for routine exams before handing her to Brazilian authorities. Community Health Education: Asunción’s Museum of Science (MuCi) rolled out an August Children’s Month program with workshops and family activities, including a botanical illustration session and exoplanet-themed hands-on learning. Wildlife & Wellness Link: The Asunción Zoo reported three capybara births, with vets monitoring the young as they transition from mother’s milk to vegetation—highlighting ongoing animal care that supports public health education around local species.

Dengue Forecasting in Yguazú: Paraguay’s Yguazú municipality is rolling out MosquitOFF, a NASA-data plus local health records app that generates daily dengue risk scores and a 7-day outlook for all 218 municipalities, with a hyper-local map for city sub-neighborhoods to help SENEPA and local hospitals target mosquito breeding hot spots. HIV Prevention Update: At the 26th AIDS Conference in Rio, Merck’s once-monthly PrEP candidate (MK-8527/alimatravir) was discussed as potentially among the cheapest HIV prevention options, though licensing coverage reportedly excludes much of Latin America, including Paraguay. Primary Care Partnership: The Bahamas joined PAHO’s Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, aiming to strengthen primary health systems through coordinated investment and technical cooperation—an example of regional PHC momentum relevant to Paraguay’s health planning. Local Health & Community Life: Asunción’s Municipal Plant Nursery is undergoing a major renovation tied to Caballero Park’s revitalization, expected to finish late 2026, supporting urban greening that can improve community wellbeing. Wildlife Care: Asunción Zoo reported three new capybaras born in early August, with vets monitoring a gradual shift from mother’s milk to vegetation—another reminder of ongoing public health-adjacent work around animal care and habitats.

Mosquito Control Upgrade in Paraguay: Yguazú has rolled out MosquitOFF, a NASA-data plus local health records app that maps dengue risk and supports SENEPA and municipal hospitals with daily alerts and a 7-day forecast. Public Health System Support: The Bahamas joined PAHO’s Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, aiming to strengthen primary care through coordinated investment and technical cooperation. Local Health & Community Care: Paraguay’s Museum of Science (MuCi) launched an August Children’s Month program in Asunción, including workshops and family activities that promote learning and wellbeing. Wildlife Care With Health Parallels: Asunción Zoo welcomed three new capybaras, bringing its total to ten, with vets monitoring feeding and health as the animals adapt. Paraguay Health Context: UNDP’s 2025 Human Development Index places Paraguay around the global average (0.756), using life expectancy, education, and income as key indicators.

Mosquito Control in Paraguay: Yguazú is rolling out MosquitOFF, a NASA-backed dengue prediction app that blends satellite weather data with local health reports to generate daily risk scores and a 7-day forecast for all 218 municipalities, with hyper-local mapping for the city. Primary Health Care Push: Paraguay’s region gets a boost as The Bahamas joins PAHO’s Alliance for Primary Health Care, aiming to strengthen primary care through coordinated investment and technical support. Local Health Access (Regional): A “Miracle Mission” in Venezuela delivered cataract surgeries for 102 patients, showing how mobile surgical days can expand eye care access. Wildlife & Community: Asunción Zoo welcomed three capybaras (carpinchos), bringing its total to ten and highlighting ongoing veterinary care and breeding success. Health-Related Global Context: A new UNDP Human Development Index report places Paraguay near the global average (0.756), using life expectancy, education, and income to track quality-of-life trends.