Outside Hospital Regional Rafael Hernández in Chiriquí, a group of medical interns and residents gathered Wednesday in a peaceful demonstration. Their message was clear: they want what they have earned. More than 200 interns and approximately 15 residents stood together, calling attention to unpaid overtime shifts, missing bonuses, and delayed category changes that some say have been pending for over a year.
One doctor participating in the protest described the frustration shared by many colleagues.
“We are here in a peaceful demonstration seeking payment for owed shifts, as well as bonuses and category changes for many of our colleagues that still have not been paid,” the physician said. [Translated from Spanish]
A Widespread Problem Across Panama
The issue extends far beyond Chiriquí. Medical interns and residents working in hospitals run by the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) across the entire country are affected. One female doctor at the protest explained that some colleagues have not even had their contracts signed, let alone received their bonuses. While a few have seen partial payments, many remain waiting for what they are owed.
In Chiriquí alone, each intake includes over 200 medical interns and roughly 15 residents working in specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, anesthesiology, and urology. The protesters said they will maintain their peaceful stance for now. Their goal is to secure a dialogue table with authorities where a real solution can be negotiated.
Government Response and Payment Schedule
The Panama Ministry of Health (Minsa) has acknowledged the debt. Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo announced a payment schedule following a meeting with representatives from the National Federation of Medical Residents and Interns (Fenameri). According to the minister, overtime payments at 40 percent will be made on August 15. Bonus payments are scheduled to begin in September.
A working group has also been established to review each case individually. The goal is to reconcile records between Minsa and the federation to determine exactly how much each doctor is owed. Boyd Galindo noted that both the Ministry of Health and the CSS share responsibility for these payments. Minsa will handle its own commitments and coordinate with the CSS to appoint a representative to resolve the institution’s outstanding obligations.
Meanwhile, the CSS has stated that payments are being processed gradually and has asked for patience from the healthcare workers.
Broader Context of Healthcare Worker Unrest
This protest comes amid growing frustration among medical professionals in Panama. The issue of unpaid overtime and bonuses has been a recurring problem, leading to previous demonstrations and calls for reform. The Social Security Fund has faced financial pressures in recent years, which has contributed to delays in payments to healthcare workers.
The situation is not unique to Panama. Across Latin America, medical residents protest in Panama and other countries have highlighted systemic issues with underfunded healthcare systems and delayed compensation for junior doctors. These protests often focus on the gap between the critical work these doctors perform and the lack of timely financial recognition from state institutions.
For now, the doctors in Chiriquí remain outside the hospital, waiting for a response. They say they will not escalate their actions, but they will not leave until their demands are heard. The ball is now in the court of the health authorities to follow through on their promises and establish the dialogue these medical professionals are seeking.