Doctors dont know why they are striking Health Minister

 PANAMA’S striking doctors are ruled  by a group of people with a failed political agenda who don’t know why they are protesting says the Minister of Health.

Franklin Vergaras spoke Friday as over 75% of doctors in the public health system are protesting  Bill 349, seeking to introduce  the Public-Private Partnership scheme (PPP)  The strike began Oct. 20 at Santo Tomas Hospital and and have been joined by staff at other medical centers.

Support workers and lab technicians have joined in the protests.

 Vergara, who made ??a tour Friday of Cocle province, said that despite the imposition of small medical groups responding to political agendas, “90% of the country's doctors are treating patients."

 Vergara said that "fortunately smart doctors in the country are serving their patients." The health minister made ??the remarks in the community of El Palenque, where he inaugurated a rural water supply which residents have been demanding for 25 years.