This archive report was first published on 11 July 2020.
July 11, 2020 - Panama's healthcare system is on the verge of collapse as the country grapples with a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. According to official figures, the number of cases has risen from 200 a day to 1,100 over the last few weeks.
David Villalobos, head of the intensive care unit at the Arnulfo Arias Madrid Hospital in Panama City, warned that the country's hospitals are ill-equipped to handle the surge in cases. 'Our daily number of infected patients has been increasing in a sustained way to the point of passing 1,000 cases,' he told AFP.
Healthcare workers are facing an exhausting workload, with many having to work long hours and go back to the hospital at night for admissions. 'It's exhausting, sometimes we have to go back at night for admissions. But here we are,' said Giselle Sanchez, a doctor caring for the most serious COVID-19 patients.
Doctors and nurses have been protesting in recent weeks demanding medical supplies and protective equipment. 'There's fear of infection, of being in a situation that puts your life at risk. This is a war of attrition,' said Domingo Moreno, coordinator of a coalition of healthcare workers' unions.
President Laurentino Cortizo has pledged to carry out 4,000 tests a day to find and isolate those infected. However, some people are afraid of taking the test due to rumors circulating about the pandemic.
Health Minister Francisco Sucre acknowledged that a significant group of people are continuing to go out despite knowing they have contracted COVID-19, making it harder to get the outbreak under control.
