health

Deadline looms for new plan

Officials are facing an April 30 deadline to agree on a proposed bill that would overhaul the health care system.

Yet the "Mesa de Salud," which was formed to make recommendations about the proposed legislation, does not appear to be close to reaching a consensus about it.

The health bill seeks to integrate the Ministerio de Salud (Minsa) and the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS). Those agencies currently work independently to offer health services throughout the country.

A debate on the future of the country's health care system began 17 months ago when President Martin Torrijos appointed a technical group, consisting mainly of doctors, to come up with a plan to address the country's needs.

The group recommended the creation of a National Health Authority, but the suggestion was roundly criticized by a number of unions representing health care workers.

The Executive Branch then created the Mesa de Salud, which has had little success so far.

La Comisión Médica Negociadora Nacional (Comenenal), the union that represents many doctors, withdrew from the negotiations. The Consejo Nacional de Trabajadores Organizados (Conato), which represents many other workers in the industry, is also considering withdrawing.

Samuel Rivera, who represents Conato at the Mesa de Salud, said that group is planning to meet next week to discuss its continued participation.

Carlos Gálvez, the representative of the Sociedad Panameña de Medicina General, said not much progress has been made.

"The process has been slow," he said. "It has left loose ends."

Gálvez said his group does not see the need to integrate Minsa and the CSS into a single agency.

Cirilo Lawson, who represents Minsa, said the goal is to create a plan that would establish the best health care system for the country, regardless if it involves integrating the two agencies, leaving them as separate entities or creating a new entity.