Panama Ministry of Health to Pursue Criminal Charges for Fake Medical Certificates

Panama City, Panama – The Ministry of Health (Minsa) is taking a firm stance against fraudulent medical disability certificates, announcing that individuals who attempt to present or issue such documents will face criminal prosecution. This new policy is part of an updated verification process designed to bolster control mechanisms and ensure the integrity of medical documentation.

Under a recent executive decree amending previous regulations, regional health authorities are now mandated to report any suspected criminal activity related to disability certificates directly to the Public Ministry. This ensures that potential offenses are promptly investigated and addressed through the judicial system. The decree emphasizes that medical certificates must accurately reflect a patient's condition and be issued by the evaluating healthcare professional.

Professionals found to be issuing inaccurate certificates may face administrative sanctions, in addition to potential civil and criminal liabilities. The Ministry of Health highlighted that Panama's Penal Code includes penalties for document forgery, which can apply to both the issuing doctors and the individuals who use the fraudulent documents.

In addition to criminal charges, Minsa has introduced a new "Formulario de Verificación de Autenticidad del Certificado de Incapacidad Médico" (Form for Verification of Authenticity of Medical Incapacity Certificate). This standardized form will streamline the verification process and enhance transparency. Minsa stated that decentralizing this procedure aims to reduce administrative delays and improve accessibility for citizens seeking to verify the authenticity of these crucial documents.