Some 200 people will receive ophthalmological care at the “Dr. Rafael Hernández L.” Regional Hospital in David, thanks to a day of surgeries organized by ophthalmologists and instrument technicians from the United States Southern Command. This joint effort has the collaboration of the Ministry of Health and aims to care for patients who need cataract and pterygium surgeries.
Preoperative consultations began on July 31, and surgeries are taking place from August 5 to 15. This initiative is aimed at both insured and uninsured patients who were on the waiting list at the hospital and at the Ministry of Health in Chiriquí.
Dr. Enrique Lau Cortéz, Director General of the Social Security Fund, stressed that this collaboration seeks to alleviate unmet demand due to the shortage of ophthalmologists in the country. “Through this joint activity, coordinated by the Southern Command and the embassy in Panama, it is expected to benefit around 200 patients,” said Lau Cortéz.
Maricarmen Aponte, the United States Ambassador, thanked the Panamanian authorities for facilitating this collaboration. “I thank the director of the Social Security Fund, the Minister of Health and the Office of the First Lady for the opportunity to bring these military doctors to contribute to the work that needs to be done in Panama,” said Aponte.
