Panama Health Minister Threatens Permanent Closure of Escobal Clinic After Vandalism

Panama’s health minister has threatened to withdraw staff indefinitely from the Escobal Health Center after renewed vandalism and a recent assault on the facility.

Fernando Boyd Galindo said groups involved in conflict in the Escobal area would have 48 hours to guarantee the safety of the clinic and its medical workers. If they fail, he said, he will order the entire health team to leave.

“If within 48 hours the groups in conflict do not meet and guarantee that the health center will be safe, and that they will be responsible for the center’s security, I will order the entire health team to withdraw, and the community will have to seek health care in a distant place,” Boyd Galindo said.

The minister criticized repeated attacks on public infrastructure and said equipping the clinic is difficult because the institution has limited resources. He also warned that he would take the same position at other health centers across Panama if they become targets of criminal acts or assaults.

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If within 48 hours the groups in conflict do not meet and guarantee that the health center will be safe, and that they will be responsible for the center’s security, I will order the entire health team to withdraw, and the community will have to seek health care in a distant place.