Vandalism forces health service suspensions, Panama's Health Ministry warns

Panama's Ministry of Health (Minsa) has issued a stark warning that escalating vandalism is severely impacting the continuity of essential medical services across the country. The ministry is calling on the public to actively protect health facilities and report any criminal activity targeting these vital centers.

Romualdo Navarro, head of service provision at Minsa, detailed the consequences of these destructive acts. "The damages caused by vandalism interrupt the provision of services, limit promotion and prevention activities, delay diagnoses and treatments, and affect specialized care, such as rehabilitation services," he explained. The incidents range from the theft of electrical wiring and diagnostic equipment to damage to water pumps and fire suppression systems.

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The damages caused by vandalism interrupt the provision of services, limit promotion and prevention activities, delay diagnoses and treatments, and affect specialized care, such as rehabilitation services.

These acts have forced partial or complete suspensions of services at several locations, including the Don Bosco Health Subcenter, the Juan Antonio Núñez Policenter in Colón, and a health post in the Ngäbe Buglé region. Minsa is strengthening coordination with local authorities and the National Police while encouraging community involvement in surveillance and protection efforts.

The ministry stressed that health facilities are a shared national asset, representing a significant state investment in accessible, quality healthcare. "Preserving health facilities is a shared responsibility, as acts of vandalism can compromise medical care and put the health and even lives of people requiring these services at risk," Minsa stated, urging citizens to act as allies in safeguarding these centers.

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Preserving health facilities is a shared responsibility, as acts of vandalism can compromise medical care and put the health and even lives of people requiring these services at risk.