High Demand for Dialysis Causes Long Waits at Hospital Complex

Patients requiring dialysis at Panama City's Metropolitan Hospital Complex endured lengthy waits on Friday, as surging demand pushed the service beyond its installed capacity. What should have been a routine appointment turned into a day of uncertainty for many, with individuals and their families waiting for hours, both inside and outside the facility.

Reports indicated that some patients arrived as early as midnight, only to be attended to around 9:00 a.m. The hemodialysis area was crowded from early morning, as multiple shifts overlapped due to a lack of available space. Patients scheduled for overnight treatment were still waiting into Friday morning, while those with first-shift appointments also faced significant delays.

“

There are people who arrive from 12:00 a.m. and it's not until 9:00 a.m. that they are received.

"We are supposed to be the first shift, usually starting between 5:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., and look at the time, we are still outside," one patient expressed frustration. The Social Security Fund (CSS) stated that the situation stems from a consistent rise in patients needing this specialized treatment. The service is reportedly receiving up to ten new patients weekly, placing constant strain on its operational capabilities.

“

We are supposed to be the first shift, usually starting between 5:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., and look at the time, we are still outside.

Karla Rodríguez, the coordinator for the hemodialysis service, explained the strain: "Ideally, we should have three, at most four, shifts here. Right now, we are running five shifts. A day has 24 hours, and this treatment takes four hours. Besides that, there's cleaning, connection, disinfection, and setup. By the time we finish, about five hours have passed between one session and the next."

The CSS is looking to new dialysis units in other hospitals to ease the burden on the Metropolitan Hospital Complex. Planned expansions include new facilities in Chiriquí province and at the Institute of Workers' Health in Calidonia. Until these projects are completed, patients continue to face arduous waits for a treatment essential to maintaining their quality of life.

“

Ideally, we should have three, at most four, shifts here. Right now, we are running five shifts. A day has 24 hours, and this treatment takes four hours. Besides that, there's cleaning, connection, disinfection, and setup. By the time we finish, about five hours have passed between one session and the next.