Residents of the La Mesa district in the province of Veraguas are upset and concerned about the various problems affecting the communities in the sector. Currently, they face a shortage of drinking water and the lack of a permanent ambulance at the health center to handle emergencies, among other issues. Azael Martínez and Miguel Rodríguez, residents of the La Montaña de La Mesa community, pointed out that the lack of drinking water is one of the main difficulties faced by the inhabitants, a situation that affects the quality of life for numerous families in the area. They indicated that in several communities, the supply of the vital liquid is irregular, which forces many residents to seek alternatives to obtain water, such as consuming water from wells, streams, and rivers, especially during periods of greater scarcity. On the other hand, Jorge Acosta and Martha de Franco denounced that the health center in the district urgently requires a permanently available ambulance to provide 24-hour service due to the frequent cases of medical emergencies recorded in this western part of Veraguas. The residents explained that when an emergency occurs, transferring patients to hospitals in other districts can become complicated if a vehicle is not immediately available. In response to these statements, Katherine Navarro, an official from the Ministry of Health (MINSA) in the province of Veraguas, informed that the La Mesa health center has an ambulance, which is in service while attending to patients who come for medical attention. However, some residents believe that the services still need to be strengthened and the response to the communities' needs improved. According to residents of the district, in addition to the lack of water and healthcare, there is also a perception of poor management from both the authorities and the inhabitants themselves, who, they said, must remain more attentive and organized to address the various problems affecting this Veraguense region.
