La Chorrera residents demand hospital upgrades

Residents of La Chorrera, Panama Oeste, have voiced their urgent need for improvements at the Nicolás Solano Hospital, identifying its modernization and equipment as the district's primary necessity. The call came during a citizen consultation held in Plaza 28 de Noviembre, where residents from all 18 corregimientos gathered to outline their priorities for the next five years.

While other concerns like road access, job opportunities, and water resource protection were raised, the state of the hospital dominated discussions. Hospital director David Rodríguez acknowledged the facility's deficiencies, stating that remodeling and expansion projects are advancing toward the public tender stage. These planned works include expanding the emergency room and oncology unit, as well as upgrading the entire hospital's air conditioning system, a feature it has lacked for nearly 26 years.

However, residents emphasized that improvements must extend beyond infrastructure to include staffing, medical supplies, and equipment. Ana García, a resident of Feuillet, highlighted the hospital's overcrowding and shortages. "From infrastructure to healthcare, we have the Nicolás Solano Hospital, which is overloaded, lacks adequate staff, and still needs equipment and supplies for our care," she said. Authorities indicated this consultation is the first of four planned events to gather information for future projects and plans.

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De infraestructura, a la parte de la salud, tenemos el Hospital Nicolás Solano que está sobrecargado, no tiene un buen personal, todavía le falta el equipamiento, la falta de insumos para poder nuestras atenciones.