A follow-up meeting to the recent visit to the National Oncology Institute (ION) due to the complaints of patients and relatives, held this Thursday the Ombudsman, Eduardo Leblanc González with the director of this hospital Juan Carlos Alcedo.
Dr. Alcedo clarified that the patients who attend the oncology clinic have a prior appointment, adding that “the vast majority must first have their blood test next day, be seen by the doctor and then receive their chemotherapy and this can take hours,” he said.
The ION director stressed that a measure that would help reduce long lines at the hospital would be for those residing in central provinces (Herrera, Los Santos, Veraguas and Coclé) to receive their treatments at the Anita Moreno Regional Oncology Unit.
During the meeting, Leblanc González reiterated that it is important to build the new National Oncology Institute and expand the number of qualified professionals in Oncology.
Every day in the hospital, more than 700 patients are treated in outpatient clinics, without counting those who are going to undergo radiotherapy, chemotherapy, X-rays and laboratories. 30% from the interior of the country and 70% from the area of the capital and West Panama.
