Panama Doctors Still
On Strike
About 5,000 Panamanian
physicians from public
hospitals rejected a
disrespectful and
insufficient pay rise
given by the government
and are still on strike
Tuesday, only assisting
urgencies and
in-hospital patients.
After 22 days of
unsuccessful
negotiations, tens of
thousands of patients
complain of having lost
appointments made six
months ago, some even
for surgery.
The conflict's social
impact started today
with exasperating
situations, while
physicians gathered
throughout the country
in the last 24 hours and
accused the government
of lacking seriousness
and rejected threats of
salary discount.
A draft bill created by
the Unified Public
Health System spread
this weekend held the
department of Social
Security responsible for
the crisis.
The document, which
according to the
government is a mere
draft, has provoked
surprise and concern in
hospital leadership over
a national agreement
regarding the design of
a public health system.
According to official
estimates, the country
has lost about 460,000
out-patient
consultations, 4,600
surgeries and some $7
million, after 22 days
of strike. |
|
