Third Week of Panama
Health Strike
Striking public health
physicians and the
Panama government, in a
standoff for 14 days,
began Monday without any
sign of resolving the
conflict, while patients
prepare a demonstration
demanding prohibition of
health sector strikes.
Some 5,000 doctors of
the Health Ministry (Minsa)
and Social Security (CSS)
ended outpatient
consultations and
surgery on November 6,
demanding a 60 percent
increase in their
salaries.
In the course of
negotiations, the
physicians reduced their
demand somewhat, but
added that of a written
government commitment
not to privatize the
health system and
annulment of two laws
which -in their
criteria- allows
contracting welfare
services to private
companies.
In spite of President
Martin Torrijos'
categorical denial of
the truth of those
denunciations, Sunday's
negotiations concluded
with no meeting of
minds.
According to a MINSA
spokesman, the National
Medical Negotiating
Commission presented 25
new points at the
negotiation table as a
condition to stop the
medical strike.
By MINSA calculations,
more than 5,000
surgeries and 300,000
medical appointments
were suspended since the
strike began.
Meanwhile patients with
chronic and degenerative
diseases called for a
demonstration Thursday,
to march to the National
Assembly and demand a
law that prohibits
strikes in all medical
services. |
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