Public Health is not the matter of medicine; it is other way around

Abstract

This editorial reflects on the historical weaknesses of the Paraguayan health system, which became more visible during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. It argues that health reform must extend beyond administrative changes within the Ministry of Health and include social protection, taxation, labor rights, environmental policies, research, innovation and education. The author proposes strengthening multidisciplinary academic training through a national faculty or school of public health capable of producing research, training specialists and developing the critical mass required to build and sustain a new health system.