President Mulino is Asked by Panama Doctors to Resolve Overdue Payments and Lack of Supplies in Hospitals

The National Federation of Resident and Intern Physicians (Fenameri) requested the President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, to intervene to resolve the payments that the Social Security Fund (CSS) and the Ministry of Health (Minsa) owe to doctors in training, as well as to address the deficiencies in supplies, medicines, equipment and ambulances that, according to the union, affect patient care.  Among the payments that, according to the organization, remain unresolved are overtime shifts, retroactive salary payments, changes in category for resident physicians, annual productivity bonuses, and additional payments for staff who provide services in hard-to-reach areas.

Unpaid Benefits: Resident Doctors will Begin Protests this Monday July 13

The National Federation of Resident and Intern Physicians announced that they will suspend overtime work across the country starting July 16 if the Social Security Fund (CSS) and the Ministry of Health (Minsa) do not pay outstanding benefits. This measure is part of a phased action plan promoted by the National Federation of Resident and Intern Physicians. 

The union explained that the decision is due to the lack of concrete answers from the authorities and the failure to pay various labor benefits, a situation that, they say, affects the professionals who daily provide care to thousands of patients in the country’s hospitals.  The benefits claimed include payment for overtime shifts, salaries corresponding to expired regular workdays, productivity bonuses, category changes, retroactive payments, and extra pay for working in hard-to-reach areas. 

The Federation also requested that all services provided until April 2026 be cancelled and that, for subsequent months, the payment periods established by current legislation be respected, which allow up to 60 days for disbursements.  As a first step, resident and intern physicians will hold peaceful demonstrations on July 13, 14, and 15, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, on the premises of each implementing unit nationwide, after their workday has ended. They clarified that during those days, services corresponding to both regular and overtime hours will continue to be provided. 

The organization warned that, if it does not obtain concrete answers and results, it will stop holding extra shifts throughout the country from July 16, although it will continue to provide care during the regular working day.  The Federation reiterated its unwavering commitment to patients and affirmed that the measures were designed to ensure the continuity of routine medical care, while demanding respect for the labor rights of medical personnel. Furthermore, it expressed its willingness to maintain dialogue with the authorities, provided it leads to verifiable solutions with concrete deadlines for the payment of outstanding debts.