The Dr. Rafael Estévez Hospital in Aguadulce has initiated its first coronary angiography service. This new diagnostic capability, launched by the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS), represents a major advancement for cardiac care in Panama’s central provinces.
Patients with suspected heart conditions no longer face mandatory transfers to Panama City for specialized evaluation. The local availability of this procedure dramatically improves access to critical care and speeds up treatment for individuals experiencing chest pain and other high-risk cardiovascular symptoms.
Transforming Cardiac Diagnosis and Care
A coronary angiography is a vital diagnostic tool. It allows cardiologists to visualize blockages within the heart’s arteries and assess their severity. This precise information is crucial for determining the correct treatment path, whether that involves medication or an interventional procedure like stenting.
The hospital’s director, Dr. Omar De Icaza, emphasized the service’s impact on the community.
“This service represents a technological advancement in cardiovascular care and brings specialized services closer to the population,” [Translated from Spanish] De Icaza stated.
Implementing this service locally tackles a significant barrier to timely treatment. Reducing travel for patients not only lessens their burden but also allows for faster intervention, which can be critical in cardiac cases. The Dr. Rafael Estévez Hospital serves approximately 270,000 people, including both insured and uninsured patients, and handles over 200,000 medical consultations annually.
Expanding Access to Specialized Medicine
This development is part of a broader effort to decentralize specialized medical services in Panama. Equipping regional hospitals with advanced technology aims to provide more equitable healthcare access across the country. The hospital confirmed it now possesses the high-tech equipment required to perform these studies and offer more timely, quality care.
Officials announced that patients needing this diagnostic study can now request appointments directly through the hospital’s Medical Radiology Department. This streamlined process is designed to make accessing the new service as straightforward as possible for referring physicians and patients.
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of mortality globally, and early, accurate diagnosis is a key factor in improving outcomes. The availability of local coronary angiography is expected to directly impact the management of cardiovascular disease in the region. It follows other national initiatives aimed at improving medical access, though challenges within the system persist, as seen in recent reports about seguro social appointment irregularities.
The launch signifies a tangible upgrade in Panama’s public health infrastructure. For residents of Coclé and surrounding central provinces, expert cardiac diagnosis just moved much closer to home.