Free multidisciplinary medical care for “International Thyroid Month 2024″

Asunción, IP Agency.- The activities for “International Thyroid Month 2024” will begin this Saturday, April 20, with a day of multidisciplinary medical care promoted at the Regional Hospital of Encarnación and endrocrinological care at no cost, in hospital centers throughout the country.

The official presentation of the activities was held at the Ministry of Public Health, with the assistance of the Minister of Health, María Teresa Barán and representatives of the organizers of the initiative: the Paraguayan Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. Likewise, representatives of the Paraguayan Society of Radiology and Imaging, the Paraguayan Society of Ultrasound and the Paraguayan Society of Pathology and Cytology were also part of it.

«This is a unique opportunity for citizens to be able to access these specialized consultations in the interior of the country. There is a whole calendar of activities that will be carried out in different services, both IPS and Public Health, and that speaks of the importance of working in an integrated way,” highlighted the head of the Ministry of Public Health, María Teresa Barán.

Patients from the interior will access specialized services

He stated that through coordinated and integrated work, the gap in access to specialized services in the interior of the country will be reduced.

«But it is not only regarding achieving that access, but it will also leave installed capacity in the services affected by these activities. This opportunity will be used to teach and train general practitioners who are today in the interior of the country so that they can have better management of thyroid pathologies,” indicated the minister.

Campaign will allow detecting thyroid pathologies

Regarding the topic, Dr. Fabiola Romero, president of the Paraguayan Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SPEM), highlighted that the activities will include campaigns to detect thyroid pathologies in different cities, as well as endocrinological consultations in hospital reference centers throughout the country. country.

“Since last year, we have strengthened our ties with other societies related to the management of thyroid pathologies. Thanks to this we were able to carry out a multidisciplinary campaign in the city of Villarrica. The intention is to reach areas in the interior of the country and to offer quality and comprehensive care,” he highlighted.

Detection of cancer cases in Villarrica

He highlighted that last year 4 cases of thyroid cancer were detected and treated through biopsies performed on patients.

“Last year we treated more than 200 patients in Villarrica, we detected 30% of hormonal alterations and gave treatment. Likewise, thyroid nodules were recorded in half of the patients, biopsies were performed and 4 cases of thyroid cancer were detected,” reported Dr. Romero.

Campaign will be done in two stages

Dr. Lorena Careaga, member of the Paraguayan Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, and coordinator of multidisciplinary care activities in Encarnación, mentioned that the first stage is planned for April 20 at the Regional Hospital of Encarnación, with analysis and tests diagnostics.

The second stage will be on May 11 in the same service, where the results will be reviewed and multidisciplinary care will be offered to patients.

“The aim is to provide comprehensive care and facilitate access to necessary procedures for patients with thyroid problems,” he stressed.

Endocrinological care will also be provided in reference centers in the country

In turn, Dr. Susan Benítez, member of the Board of Directors of the Paraguayan Society of Endocrinology and coordinator of endocrinological care activities in reference centers in the country, pointed out that this campaign is to provide specialized thyroid consultations to the population. , in line with World Thyroid Week, which is an initiative promoted by the International Thyroid Federation since 2008, which is celebrated on May 25.

“On a global level, it was born in 2008 at the initiative of the International Thyroid Federation and later different European and American associations joined and World Thyroid Day is commemorated on May 25. And Thyroid Week this year will be between May 20 and 24,” he said.

Regarding endocrinological care throughout the country, he reported that it will be carried out from May 20 to 24, and care will be provided in several reference centers in the country.

He highlighted “that the work team is completely voluntary and the specialists join the campaign free of charge, so that the population can access specialized consultations. In the different centers there will also be educational talks aimed at patients, so the invitation is extended to those who have pathologies or without pathologies to approach them,” she added.

Health Care Calendar

He equally confirmed that the medical campaign will kick off on “Monday 20 at the Red Cross Queen Sophia Hospital; on Tuesday 21st at the General Hospital of Luque, National Hospital of Itauguá, IPS of Ciudad del Este and IPS of Concepcion”.

On “Wednesday the 22nd we will be at the IPS Boquerón Periférica Clinic; at the Health Center of the Ministry of Social Welfare; Health Center No. 7: Thursday, April 23 at the IPS Boquerón Clinic; Lambaré General Hospital, IPS Central Hospital; San Lorenzo General Hospital; General Hospital of San Juan Bautista – Misiones and in the Central Military Hospital.”

Likewise, on “Friday, April 24 at the IPS 12 de Junio ​​Hospital; Trinidad Maternal and Child Hospital, Hospital de Clínicas – San Lorenzo and the Ingavi Hospital of the IPS,” said Dr. Susan Benítez.

Symptoms

During the conference it was reported that attention is aimed at those people who present symptoms of:

– Hypothyroidism: tiredness, hair loss, dry skin/brittle nails, lack of concentration, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, constipation, menstrual disturbance, difficulty with pregnancy.

– Hyperthyroidism: palpitations, nervousness/irritability, significant weight loss, sensitivity to heat, excessive sweating, insomnia/diarrhea/tremors, bulging eyes.

– Thyroid nodule: enlarged neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing.

At the press conference, it was recalled that last year, multidisciplinary care was carried out in the city of Villarrica, where 253 people attended the first stage, and 163 returned for the second stage. Hypothyroidism was detected in 35% and presence of thyroid nodules in 55%. In addition, 30 biopsies were performed to detect the benign or malignant nature of the nodules, 4 of them resulting in thyroid cancer, which subsequently underwent surgery.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just above the collarbone. It is one of the endocrine glands that produce, store and secrete thyroid hormones that are responsible for controlling processes such as metabolism and body development from birth to old age; in addition to playing a key role in other issues such as heart function, digestion, brain development or mood.