Panama Comptroller Inspects Polyclinic, Cites Long Waits Despite Medication Supply

Panama's Comptroller General, Anel Flores, conducted an inspection at the Dr. J.J. Vallarino polyclinic on Thursday, June 11, to assess the quality of care provided to social security beneficiaries. The visit focused on patient wait times, medication availability, and overall service delivery.

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We want to ensure that these people are attended to promptly, because we are indeed asking the doctors to go the extra mile, to fulfill those 8 hours like all Panamanians do.

During the inspection, Flores observed the medication dispensing process and noted that the clinic reported a 94% drug supply and average wait times of approximately 30 minutes. However, interviews with two female patients revealed a different reality. They reported that prescriptions they had submitted would take an additional two hours to be filled. The Comptroller stressed that healthcare services for insured individuals should align with their contributions to the social security system, characterizing it as a prepaid service.

Flores also examined the assistance and attention provided by doctors. He stated, "We want to ensure that these people are attended to promptly, because we are indeed asking the doctors to go the extra mile, to fulfill those 8 hours like all Panamanians do." While he noted a general flow in patient care, he highlighted the need to further reduce wait times for medical appointments.

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By the way, a mammogram result, I had it done in October 2025, and they gave it to me on Friday, June 5. There are no appointments here for family medicine, I have to come in October, to sign up to see when there is an appointment.

One patient shared her frustration with delays in receiving medical results and difficulties in scheduling family medicine appointments. She explained that a mammogram result from October 2025 was only delivered on June 5, and she had to wait until October to book an appointment for family medicine, with no guarantee of an immediate slot. The Comptroller questioned these prolonged waiting periods, noting that some patients face delays of four to five months for appointments, and if a scheduled appointment is missed for reasons beyond the patient's control, they might have to wait up to a year to reschedule. "It's not that the appointment today didn't happen and it's given tomorrow, you have to schedule it again to be given within a month, and those are the things that are unforgivable," Flores stated.

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It's not that the appointment today didn't happen and it's given tomorrow, you have to schedule it again to be given within a month, and those are the things that are unforgivable.