Tegucigalpa, Honduras – The Honduran Secretary of Health has revoked the contract of former Health Minister Carla Mariana Paredes Reyes, just months after she was appointed to a position within the public healthcare system. The decision, formalized through Agreement No. 728-2026 on February 20, 2026, ends Paredes’s brief tenure as a general practitioner on call at San Lorenzo Hospital in Valle, Honduras. The move follows criticism surrounding her appointment, which many perceived as an abuse of power.
Paredes, who served as Health Minister from January 2024 until her resignation in January 2026, was named to the position at San Lorenzo Hospital in September 2025, according to documents obtained by La Prensa. The appointment came during the final months of her leadership at the Ministry of Health and prior to the transition to a new administration. Her monthly salary for the position was reported to be 105,201.92 lempiras, significantly higher – more than three times – than the average salary for a general practitioner on call, which typically ranges around 36,000 lempiras.
Controversial Appointment and Subsequent Cancellation
The initial appointment of Paredes to the hospital position sparked controversy within the medical community and among the public. Critics questioned the appropriateness of assigning a position to the outgoing minister, particularly given the timing so close to the change in government. Reports indicated that Paredes was never fully integrated into the hospital’s on-call schedule, and hospital administration was reportedly unaware of the details of her designation. CHTV News reported that the hospital’s direction was unaware of the appointment.
The Secretary of Health’s decision to cancel Paredes’s contract was officially communicated to her in person on February 24, 2026, in the municipality of Gualala, Santa Bárbara. Paredes reportedly expressed her disagreement with the cancellation and signed the delivery act to acknowledge receipt of the notification. The cancellation applies to Paredes’s probationary period, and she has been granted 15 days to appeal the decision through the Administrative Litigation Courts if she chooses to pursue legal action.
Details of the Cancellation Agreement
The cancellation is based on the grounds of an alleged abuse of power, as reported by La Tribuna. The specific details of the alleged abuse of power have not been publicly disclosed. The agreement number cited for the cancellation is 728-2026, issued on February 20, 2026. Prior to this appointment, Paredes earned a monthly salary of 110,000 lempiras as Health Minister, a reduction of only 5,000 lempiras with her new role at San Lorenzo Hospital.
Impact on the Honduran Healthcare System
This situation highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and fairness in appointments within the Honduran healthcare system. The disparity in salary between Paredes’s position and that of other general practitioners on call has fueled debate about equitable compensation and resource allocation. The cancellation of her contract raises questions about the process for appointing former government officials to positions within the public sector and the potential for conflicts of interest. The incident as well underscores the challenges facing the new administration as it seeks to establish a clear direction for healthcare policy in Honduras.
The Honduran healthcare system, like many in the region, faces significant challenges, including limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of qualified medical personnel. Ensuring fair and transparent practices in appointments and resource allocation is crucial for building public trust and improving the quality of care available to all citizens. The cancellation of Paredes’s contract may serve as a signal of a commitment to greater accountability within the Ministry of Health, but further reforms will be needed to address the systemic issues that contributed to this situation.
Legal Recourse and Future Steps
As Paredes has 15 days from the date of notification to file an appeal, the situation remains fluid. If she chooses to pursue legal action, the Administrative Litigation Courts will review the decision and determine whether the cancellation was justified. The outcome of any legal proceedings could have broader implications for the process of appointing former government officials to public sector positions.
The Ministry of Health has not yet issued a statement regarding the process for filling the vacant position at San Lorenzo Hospital. It is expected that a new general practitioner on call will be appointed in the coming weeks to ensure continuity of care for patients at the hospital. The Ministry has also not commented on whether an internal review will be conducted to assess the circumstances surrounding Paredes’s initial appointment.
The case of Carla Mariana Paredes Reyes serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical considerations and transparent processes in public administration. The Honduran public will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and what steps the government takes to prevent similar controversies in the future.
The next step in this developing story will be the expiration of the 15-day appeal period for Paredes. It remains to be seen whether she will challenge the decision in court. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Share your comments below, and please share this article with your network.
Keep reading