What do the President Martinelli, Javier Diaz Minister of Health and JLO have in Common?

On July 22 2013, President Ricardo Martinelli attended the inauguration of the new Hemodialysis Unit located in the ULAPS, prof. Carlos Velarde medical center in San Cristóbal. At the inauguration, the president spoke to a improving the quality of life of all Panamanians by increasing access to medical attention, while affirming his support in the recruitment of foreign doctors. President Martinelli spoke to a lack of specialist: “nationwide we only have 26 nephrologist who attend to all patients in need of a renal physician, more specialists are needed.” MINSA (Ministry of Health) concluded that the interior of the country was in need of specialists as well. In an interview with Telemetro, Health Minister Javier Diaz, estimated Panama is in need of around 500 medical specialists. Diaz went on to explain that it will not be until 2016 and 2017 that the country would see the first generation of Panamanian medical specialists. These doctors are currently being trained in various training centers throughout the country and overseas.

The president and Javier Diaz aren’t the only ones rallying for better health care in Panama; Jennifer Lopez has spoken out on the matter. The famed singer/actress has launched an online fundraiser in conjunction with her own charity to help Panamanian medical residents gain pediatric health training at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.

In a post on her Twitter page, Lopez writes, "Please help me bring healthcare to Panama for Healthy babies. Together we can create CHANGE!"