Health care in Panama
Encyclopedia
Health care in Panama
is provided through a system through the government and a private sector. The public sector is funded through the Ministry of Health and the Social Security System.
Problems with the public health care system are in the countryside where lack of funding creates a shortage of beds for their number of patients. The majority of doctors prefer to live in Panama City where there are higher patient loads and more economic opportunity.
EMS systems are primarily in Panama City where 911 service is available. Outside of Panama City and David, EMS services drop off dramatically. Boquete has limited capability despite a large ex-pat population.
Rapid tourism expansion further strains the response in remote areas. While limited medical coverage for tourists is available, many do not know about it or where to obtain their insurance card.
Prices are significantly cheaper than in the United States
or other highly developed nations, but in comparison to the average Panamanian wage are proportionally equal. Some doctors are highly trained in the United States but few are board-certified. However, many are trained in high quality medical schools in Spain, Mexico, Panama, and a few in Cuba.
Nurses are not trained to US RN standards.
However, the common experience for most patients is that the hospital staff including doctors and nurses are very caring and are eager to help. It is the system that fails them.
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
is provided through a system through the government and a private sector. The public sector is funded through the Ministry of Health and the Social Security System.
Problems with the public health care system are in the countryside where lack of funding creates a shortage of beds for their number of patients. The majority of doctors prefer to live in Panama City where there are higher patient loads and more economic opportunity.
EMS systems are primarily in Panama City where 911 service is available. Outside of Panama City and David, EMS services drop off dramatically. Boquete has limited capability despite a large ex-pat population.
Rapid tourism expansion further strains the response in remote areas. While limited medical coverage for tourists is available, many do not know about it or where to obtain their insurance card.
Prices are significantly cheaper than in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
or other highly developed nations, but in comparison to the average Panamanian wage are proportionally equal. Some doctors are highly trained in the United States but few are board-certified. However, many are trained in high quality medical schools in Spain, Mexico, Panama, and a few in Cuba.
Nurses are not trained to US RN standards.
However, the common experience for most patients is that the hospital staff including doctors and nurses are very caring and are eager to help. It is the system that fails them.