Panama Prepares to Host Operation Miracle
Panamanian Health Minister Camilo Alleyne asserted his government is preparing to honourably host the Operation Miracle, a Cuba-Venezuela spearheaded project of free ophthalmology attention to Latin American poor communities.

"Within one month and a half or two months we will open the venue of the Operation Miracle to contribute to the social integration of Latin America," stated Alleyne, who gave thanks for Cuba´s healing of 917 Panamanian with eye afflictions since November 2005.

He said health in Panama has reached every corner of the nation during the government of Martin Torrijos, as health services have been developed to benefit all the population, irrespective of the social strata.

Alleyne assured free health assistance was given to pregnant women, under five children, the elderly and people with disabilities, and the government was committed to create a primary attention program for the entire population.

It is a hard but historic process because of its major importance for the wellbeing of Panamanians, according to the minister, included in an official delegation headed by Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro, who arrived on Friday to expand bilateral cooperation and sign agreements with Cuba.

Panama will become the third venue of the Operation Miracle, which is also carried out in Cuba and Venezuela, both founders.

More than 100,000 have been operated on or received free ophthalmology treatment to recover their vision during two years of the health project.