Coronavirus modular hospital gets opening green light

The controversy shrouded Panama Solidario [modular] Hospital in Albrook has finally received the green light for complete opening from the Technical Council of Public Health said the Ministry of Health (Minsa)  on Wednesday, June 24.

A few days earlier, the council approved the gradual opening of the facility, built to treat coronavirus sufferers and it received the first  five patients on June 11 To date, it houses  27 Covid-19 patients. including new admissions on Wenesday  said the Minsa.

The modular hospital has 100 beds: 80 in wards and 20 in the intensive care unit (ICU).

The Ministry received the keys to the hospital, built in a month by the SmartBrix Central America company, with whom the Ministry of Public Works signed a $6.9 million contract. The Comptroller General has so far refused to endorse the contract, which is why, according to  Public Works  Minister  Rafael Sabonge, SmartBrix has not been paid “a dollar”, and investigations into several aspects of the deal are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Panama hospital facilities and medical staff are near the tipping point as the number of coronavirus infections continues to surge.