Some private hospitals are already offering telemedicine services.
The Social Security Fund (CSS) and the Ministry of Health (Minsa) in Panama have advanced plans to implement telehealth services in the country. Pilot tests in public health services will begin in at least three or four months.
On March 18, Panama's President Laurentino Cortizo approved the Telehealth law, which aims specifically to develop telehealth services that will serve as a support modality for the Minsa and the CSS in the provision of services and hospital capacity reduction.
Congressman Raúl Fernández, the main promoter of the Law, explained that both the CSS and the Minsa will initiate pilot plans to activate telemedicine in Panama. He also stated that telemedicine will provide great support for the health care of patients with chronic diseases, helping to relieve the overcrowding of health centers.
Now, the Minsa and the CSS must acquire technological equipment that enables the implementation of telehealth plans and strategies which involve internet connection and the use of digital health technologies such as digital clinical records. "They must also guarantee the continuous training of human talent in the handling of the technology used, in the processes, procedures and tools inherent to the provision of services, in which information and communication technologies are used," explained the independent congressman.
Under a telehealth system, patients will be able to undergo medical studies and upload the information to the network so that a specialist can analyze it and provide a diagnosis.
