The Minister of Health, Fernando Boyd Galindo, toured the Kuna Nega Health Center, together with the deputy of circuit 8-3, Walkiria Chandler D’Orcy and the mayor of the district of Panama, Mayer Mizrachi, to evaluate the operation of this medical facility and improve patient care.
The Minister of Health explained that this health centre faces various deficiencies that will be addressed, such as the lack of specialists and the need for ambulances to transport patients at a given time.
Boyd Galindo mentioned that the planning to improve user care includes the incorporation of telemedicine and a single patient record so that more people can receive medical care remotely.
“We are implementing technology to work in conjunction with the physical care part,” he said.
For her part, Deputy Walkiria Chandler, representing the National Assembly, indicated that during the visit to the Kuna Nega Health Center, the issue of the supply of medicines and the lack of gynecologists and pediatricians was verified; she also sought to coordinate with the medical authorities to provide care to users on weekends.
Mayer Mizrachi, Mayor of Panama, mentioned that the facility has equipment; however, he pointed out that it has not been used properly and in that sense, follow-up will be provided so that patients receive the medical services they require.
“There are only a few details missing here so that this can work more quickly. It is a health centre and it is quite delicate because it is in the middle of the Cerro Patacón landfill.”
The services provided include adult and senior citizen health, oral health, vaccination, food handlers, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS control, control and monitoring of epidemiological diseases, medical emergencies, environmental sanitation, food protection, vector control, zoonoses, health promotion, risk management and preparation for disaster response.
This health center was designed to impact the care of a population of 24,000 people. It began providing medical care 1 year ago in the community of Kuna Nega, in the district of Ancón, with an investment of b/.4.03 million.
Effective coordination with local authorities
At the same time, the head of the Health Portfolio specified that strategies will be analyzed in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of Panama, which can guarantee a safe and healthy environment for residents of the area.
He added that the community suffers greatly from the problem of river pollution, which can compromise the health of residents, as well as the situation of the Cerro Patacón landfill.
