Health care strike continues amid fears of privatization

PANAMA HEALTH CARE workers including doctors, nurses,  and technicians, continued their work stoppage  and took to the streets across the country to protest a law which they fear is a step towards privatization,

For the second consecutive day, health unions refused to meet with officials from the Ministry of Health and Social Security to discuss ending the stoppage.

The protests are against Law 69 which allows the hiring of foreign specialists in the country and which they claim was rushed through without consultation. Others have expressed concerns about the Government calling for tenders from business to handle multiple hospital cervices, seen as the thin end of the wedge.
"No privatization" and "No to law 69" read banners carried by protesters outside the Arnulfo Arias Madrid Medical Complex on Via Transistmica.
Staff from Santo Tomas Hospital were demonstrating on Avenida Balboa.
Earlier, Health  Ministry officials reiterated that they are against the privatization of the country's health services. In a statement, they said that the unions position on this issue is "irresponsible."
The Ministry also said that President Ricardo Martinelli has publicly stated the law would not lead to a privatized system.