AGP Executive Report

HIV Prevention Breakthrough: At the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio, Merck’s once-monthly PrEP candidate MK-8527 (alimatravir) was discussed as potentially manufacturable for about US$3 per person per year, though a licensing deal 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. COVID Funding Scrutiny: FEMA is reviewing whether COVID-19 disaster assistance spending in Hawaii was improper after the indictment of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and others, with possible repayment or enforcement actions. Children’s Health & Access: Paraguay’s Museum of Science in Asunción announced August Children’s Month activities, including workshops and a special total lunar eclipse observation. Community Support: Paraguay’s Ministry of Children and Adolescents launched a Toy Bank campaign for Children’s Day (16 August), collecting toys, books, and board games for vulnerable kids. Local Care Delivery: A Miracle Mission in Nueva Esparta coordinated cataract surgeries for 102 patients, with plans to expand visual health days municipality by municipality.

Health Cooperation: AFSOUTH and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Public Health launched Amistad 2026 at Hospital Regional Dr. Luis Manuel Morillo King, bringing about 40 U.S. medical professionals to support family medicine, pediatrics, dentistry and optometry over two weeks. Primary Care Partnerships: The Bahamas joined PAHO’s Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, setting up a consultative mechanism led by its Ministry of Health and Wellness to coordinate investments and technical support. Vision Care Access: Venezuela’s Misión Milagro delivered cataract surgeries to 102 patients in Nueva Esparta, with plans to expand these “visual health days” municipality by municipality. Mental Health & Care Delays: A DeKalb woman with a long mental illness history remains in jail nearly two years after charges, highlighting how custody can stall access to timely case movement and care. Paraguay Health Context: A week’s coverage also flagged Paraguay-linked health risks from regional illicit trade, including medicines smuggled into Brazil.

Local Health Access: Misión Milagro brought cataract surgery to 102 patients from Antolín del Campo in Nueva Esparta, with regional health authorities saying these “visual health days” will keep rolling municipality to municipality. Hospital Costs & Care: A couple is still working to pay off a hospital bill after needing help covering medical expenses, highlighting how sudden treatment costs can linger. Public Health & Prevention: Paraguay’s Ministry of Children and Adolescents launched a Toy Bank campaign ahead of Children’s Day (Aug. 16), collecting toys, books, and board games (no toy weapons) for children in hospitals and vulnerable communities. Health Risks & Systems: A story on gallstones and delayed surgery shows how financial barriers can turn painful conditions into urgent care needs. Health Policy Context: A broader look at academic freedom erosion notes university autonomy is declining in many countries—an issue that can affect research and training that underpin health systems.

Public Health Access: Paraguay’s “Miracle Mission” model is expanding in Venezuela, with 102 patients from Antolín del Campo in Nueva Esparta receiving cataract surgery in La Asunción—coordinated by the Miracle Mission, the Warriors of Love Foundation, and local government, with regional health authorities saying these visual-health days will move municipality to municipality. Healthcare Costs & Care Access: A couple is seeking help to pay a hospital bill after a gallbladder surgery case left them owing about P250,000, highlighting how sudden illness can quickly become a financial crisis. Child Wellness & Prevention Through Play: Paraguay’s Ministry of Children and Adolescents launched its Toy Bank campaign (“More Toys, More Smiles”) ahead of Children’s Day on 16 August, collecting toys, books, and board games (no toy weapons) for distribution to children in hospitals and vulnerable communities. Health & Medicine Market Watch: Brazil’s regulator Anvisa approved new semaglutide injection pens, intensifying competition in weight-loss and diabetes treatments—an important signal for the region’s evolving access to obesity care. Local Health Culture: Paraguay’s Carrulim tradition returns on 1 August, with people drinking the herbal mix believed to protect during the cold, dry season—more cultural than medical, but still tied to community wellness habits.

Gallbladder Care Costs: A Paraguayan-linked health story from abroad highlights how gallstones can turn deadly fast—one patient with calculous cholecystitis needed urgent surgery after weeks of severe pain, but the family struggled to afford treatment. Weight-Loss Drug Competition: Brazil’s regulator approved new semaglutide injection pens, intensifying the weight-loss/diabetes “pen” race and raising questions about access and pricing across the region. Smuggling & Medicines: A report says Paraguay-to-Brazil smuggling can generate extreme profits, with medicines among the top contraband categories—an issue that can directly affect public health through unsafe supply. Paraguay Agriculture Boost: Paraguay’s soy and wheat exports rose sharply in the first half of 2026, supporting national income that can indirectly strengthen health and food security. Community Health Culture: Paraguay’s Children’s Day Toy Bank campaign is collecting toys and books for kids in hospitals and vulnerable settings, reinforcing child wellbeing through play. Carrulim Tradition: As August begins, Paraguay’s carrulim ritual returns—an herbal drink tradition tied to seasonal illness beliefs and cultural heritage.

Gallstone Care Costs: A Paraguayan-style health-care cautionary tale from abroad: a delivery rider’s partner was diagnosed with gallstones and calculous cholecystitis, then needed surgery after pain worsened—highlighting how delays and money gaps can turn treatable conditions into emergencies. Weight-Loss Drug Market Pressure: Brazil’s regulator approved new semaglutide injection pens, intensifying competition in the weight-loss/diabetes market and raising questions for access and pricing across the region. Health Risks at Borders: Reports say smuggling routes tied to Paraguay–Brazil trade can include medicines, with very high profit margins and low inspection rates—an indirect public health threat through counterfeit or diverted drugs. Community Support for Kids: Paraguay’s Ministry of Children and Adolescents launched a Toy Bank drive ahead of Children’s Day, aiming to deliver play items to children in hospitals and vulnerable settings. Cultural Wellness Tradition: Asunción-area coverage spotlights carrulim, the herbal drink people use in August for seasonal protection—more tradition than science, but still widely practiced.

Toy Bank Drive: Paraguay’s Ministry of Children and Adolescents (Minna) launched a new Toy Bank campaign ahead of Children’s Day on 16 August, collecting toys, books, and board games until 15 August to support vulnerable kids, including those receiving hospital treatment; donations won’t include toy weapons and will be sorted before distribution. Weight-Loss Drug Competition: Brazil’s regulator Anvisa approved new semaglutide injection pens, intensifying the weight-loss and diabetes drug race and highlighting how access and pricing differ across the region. Carrulim Culture: As Paraguay heads into August, Carrulim Day on 1 August returns—people drink the traditional caña-rue-lemon mix for protection during the cold, dry season, with the practice recognized as intangible cultural heritage. Agriculture Exports: Paraguay’s soy and wheat exports surged in the first half of 2026, with Capeco reporting big jumps in both shipment volume and value. Community Health/Support Angle: A separate local tradition, Miss Abuela 2026 in Ayolas, blends community celebration with fundraising via solidarity raffle tickets, spotlighting older adults and local support networks.

Agriculture & Exports: Paraguay’s grain push is showing up in the numbers: Capeco reports soybean grain exports rose to 5,894,301 tonnes in the first half of 2026 (up from 4,106,112 tonnes in 2025), adding about 1.79 million tonnes, while wheat shipments from the 2025 harvest jumped 30%, boosting foreign-currency earnings. Cultural Health Traditions: Asunción and other towns are gearing up for Carrulim Day on 1 August, when people drink the herbal mix (caña, rue, and lemon) for “protection” during the cold, dry season—an Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition with deep Guaraní roots, even though there’s no scientific proof it prevents illness. Community & Care: Ayolas is launching Miss Abuela 2026, a charity “grandmother” contest where community support and solidarity raffle ticket sales decide the winner, blending family recognition with fundraising. Pharma/Weight-loss Market Watch: Brazil’s Anvisa approved new semaglutide injection pens, intensifying competition in the weight-loss and diabetes market—relevant for regional supply and pricing pressures. Public Health Access (Regional): A report on tirzepatide demand highlights Paraguay’s lower legal pricing versus Brazil’s higher costs, alongside concerns about illegal cross-border supply.

Agriculture & Health Link: Paraguay’s grain exports are surging: Capeco reports soybean grain exports up to 5.89 million tonnes by end-June 2026 (from 4.11 million tonnes in 2025) and wheat shipments from the 2025 harvest up 30%, boosting foreign-currency earnings—good news for food-system stability and rural livelihoods. Local Wellness Tradition: As Paraguay heads into August’s cold, dry stretch, many people will celebrate Carrulim Day on Aug. 1 with the herbal drink carrulim (caña, rue, and lemon), traditionally taken first thing in the morning; organizers are also staging Carrulim Day events at Mercado 4 in Asunción. Weight-Loss Drug Watch (Regional): Brazil’s Anvisa has approved new semaglutide injection pens, intensifying competition in the weight-loss market; while not Paraguay-specific, it signals how quickly access and pricing pressures can shift across the region.

Weight-loss drug competition in Brazil: Brazil’s regulator Anvisa has approved new semaglutide injection pens, bringing fresh rivals (including Hypera, Sun Pharma and Sandoz) into the market dominated by Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic/Wegovy—intensifying the race for diabetes and obesity demand. Smuggling and price gap: A separate report highlights how tirzepatide can be far cheaper in Paraguay than in Brazil, fueling illegal cross-border sales and raising concerns about unsafe supply and cold-chain handling. Paraguay tradition with health angle: Asunción and other communities gear up for Carrulim Day on Aug. 1, a culturally rooted herbal drink ritual tied to seasonal illness beliefs—officially recognized as intangible heritage, even without scientific proof of health effects. Men’s health and connection: International Friendship Day coverage in Ireland spotlights rising loneliness among young men and urges reaching out—an angle that fits wellness audiences. Wildfire smoke risk for the region: South America’s fire outlook for 2026–27 includes new satellite monitoring, with warnings that smoke can worsen health even when fires start far from Paraguay.

Local Health & Governance: Paraguay readers may want to watch a major corruption case unfolding abroad: Hawaii’s Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and three co-defendants pleaded not guilty in a bribery conspiracy tied to COVID-19 testing contracts, with Gov. Josh Green publicly calling for Luke’s resignation. Wellness & Culture: Paraguay’s Carrulim Day returns on Aug. 1, with thousands expected to drink the herbal mix (caña, rue, and lemon) at dawn for “good luck” and seasonal protection—an Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition with deep Guaraní roots. Public Health & Medicines (Regional): Brazil’s regulator Anvisa approved new semaglutide injection pens, intensifying the weight-loss drug race; the broader market shift is also linked to rising demand and ongoing concerns about illegal imports. Community & Aging: Ayolas launches Miss Abuela 2026, a grandmother-focused contest that raises funds through community ticket sales, spotlighting older adults’ roles while supporting local charity. Sports & Health Lifestyle (Indirect): Paraguay’s WRC Rally del Paraguay 2026 opening will feature Kchiporros at Encarnación’s Sambódromo, blending mass entertainment with a major motorsport push.

Hawaii Corruption Case: Four current and former Hawaiʻi officials pleaded not guilty in a bribery conspiracy tied to COVID-19 testing contracts; Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and three others face trial set for Sept. 28, while businessman Tobi Solidum is accused of bribing officials and is believed to be in the Philippines. Weight-Loss Drug Smuggling: Reports say tirzepatide is legally made in Paraguay but is far pricier in Brazil, fueling illegal cross-border supply routes that may also reduce drug effectiveness due to poor cold-chain handling. HIV Prevention Access: A once-monthly PrEP pill (alimatravir) was discussed as potentially producible for about $3 per year, but licensing reportedly excludes much of Latin America, including trial countries. Wildfire Health Tech: New fire-satellite launches aim to improve wildfire response across South America, where smoke has been linked to major health harms. Community Health & Belonging: In Asunción, “A Night of Connection” brings together Paraguayan adoptees abroad to share roots and support.

COVID-19 Contract Corruption Case (Hawaii): Hawaii’s Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and three co-defendants pleaded not guilty in a bribery conspiracy tied to state money for COVID-19 testing contracts, with prosecutors alleging campaign donations were used to secure contracts; Luke is on unpaid leave and a Sept. 28 trial date is set. Men’s Health & Loneliness: Ireland’s Movember is urging young men to reach out on International Friendship Day after survey findings showed many struggle to ask for help and report loneliness. HIV Prevention Access (Global): Merck’s once-monthly PrEP pill could be produced for about US$3 per year, but a licensing deal reportedly leaves most of Latin America out. Paraguay Community & Belonging: Asunción hosted “A Night of Connection” for Paraguayan adoptees searching for roots, highlighting gaps in adoption documentation and the mental health impact of identity loss. Local Culture: Asunción’s Mercado 4 will host Carrulim Day on Aug. 1, featuring tastings of the traditional caña-rue-lime drink.

COVID-19 Corruption Case in Hawaii: Four Hawaii officials pleaded not guilty in a bribery scheme tied to federal COVID-19 funds, with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and others accused of steering money for testing contracts; prosecutors say businessman Tobi Solidum used influence and campaign donations, and a trial is set for Sept. 28. Paraguay Health & Systems: Paraguay is rolling out SINATPy to streamline its organ transplant system, aiming to improve coordination in a sensitive public health area. HIV Prevention Access: A monthly PrEP pill could be made for about US$3 a year, but Latin America is reportedly left out of generic licensing—an access gap with direct prevention implications. Public Health Watch: UN torture-prevention monitors announced planned country visits including Paraguay later this year, as they work under liquidity constraints. Local Health Context: Paraguay’s electricity demand rose 18.3% in the first half of 2026, signaling growing pressure on infrastructure that can affect health services and facilities.

HIV Prevention Access: Merck’s once-monthly PrEP pill could be made for about US$3 per person per year, but a licensing deal reportedly excludes most of Latin America, including countries running key trials—raising concerns about regional access. Public Health & Safety: Paraguay’s DNIT says it donated more than 390 tonnes of seized goods worth about US$930,000 to 388 charities nationwide, including hospitals, health centers, elderly homes, and community canteens. Health Burden Watch: A PAHO-led study in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas flags neurological disorders as a growing crisis across the region, listing Paraguay among the hardest-hit countries. Local Health Systems: Paraguay is also moving to streamline organ transplants via the SINATPy platform, aiming to improve how the transplant system works. Environment & Health Risk: New fire-satellite launches could help track wildfires faster across the Amazon basin, but local infrastructure and government support gaps may limit benefits. Energy & Daily Life: ANDE reports Paraguay’s electricity demand rose 18.3% in the first half of 2026, with June up 11.8% year-on-year—an indirect signal of rising activity and service needs.

HIV Prevention Access: Merck’s once-monthly PrEP pill could be made for about US$3 per person per year, but a licensing deal leaves most of Latin America out, including countries tied to key trials. Paraguay Health & Care: Paraguay’s DNIT says it distributed more than 390 tonnes of seized goods (392,921 kg) to 388 charities in the first half of 2026, including hospitals, health centers, elder homes, and community canteens. Neurology Burden: A new PAHO-led study in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas flags Guyana and Paraguay among the hardest-hit countries for neurological disorders, with declining death rates but rising disability. Local Health Storytelling: Asunción hosted “A Night of Connection,” bringing together Paraguayan adoptees abroad to share roots and belonging—an emotional wellbeing angle for families and communities. Public Health Context: Paraguay’s electricity demand rose 18.3% in the first half of 2026, a reminder that infrastructure and service capacity underpin health systems.