Health Minister feeling the heat

PANAMA’S recently installed Minister of Health Miguel Mayo is quickly feeling the heat  in the operating room, with patients, doctors and now business leaders seeking  his attention.

Close behind outcries from medical specialists over an escalating crisis in Santo Tomas Hospital and concerns in Social Security over the purchase of drugs he has had to face questions from the Chamber of Commerce.

In a meeting on Tuesday, August 2  The registration and supply of drugs was high on the list of points raised by  members.

It was the first meeting between the chamber and the minister, though it was the seventh recent meeting with health officials. The chamber is looking for ways to streamline the process for bringing health-related products to Panama.

Chamber Chairman Inocencio Galindo said that a subcommittee of the business group has been formed to work on the topic.The group, believes that  periodic meetings with the Ministry of Health will lead to solutions to problems facing the field.

Meanwhile  the  doctors at Santo Tomas, the country’s medical school,  told the minister in an open letter that silence will not be accepted, as they consider their next moves.