Plastic baubles override patient needs

WHILE PANAMA’S Social Security (CSS)  Hospitals struggle with medicine shortages, staff shortage’s and an expanding  list of patients waiting for surgery, the government agency decided to spend $120,000 on cheap plastic promo items for a   “humanizing us” advertising  program.

The plan was nipped in the bud by the country’s Comptroller, Federico Humbert, who said that the items were of low quality and likely would not last very long.

“I take this opportunity to suggest that other possibilities be considered for the use of these funds,” he said,

Former Social Security Director Rolando Villalaz also criticized the spending proposal, saying the agency doesn’t compete with anyone, and therefore doesn’t need to advertise.

There are other more pressing needs in the CSS,” he said.

Roberto Troncoso, former President of  Association of Panamanian Business Executives said the plan to purchase the items was “regrettable,” in light of problems faced by the CSS.

At a medical conference on Thursday, September 24, CSS Director Estivenson Giron admitted having problems with the supply of medicines,  waiting times for  an appointment with a specialist and surgical delays.
He said they are  working on solving the difficulties with a series of programs. He cited, for example, that in the last month there have been 1,700 surgeries at the Hospital Complex Arnulfo Arias Madrid, part of the program aiming to reduce the  surgical backlog. and the goal is 70,000 a year.

He said the biggest complication encountered by the new authorities is the time   a patient has to wait to see a specialist due to lack of staff. Giron’s statements came during the opening of the fifty-second medical conference, which ends Saturday reports La Prensa.
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