The Panamanian Association of Health Statisticians (APES) considers it urgent and necessary to centralize this process so that it is managed exclusively by qualified professionals, as established in Resolution 153 of February 21, 2019, homologated in the Social Security Fund through Board Resolution 55,408-22 J.D. For this reason, the Board endorses the statement, says Martínez.
In the face of these events, the competent authorities have initiated the corresponding investigation process, and the Panamanian Association of Health Statisticians (APES) decides to categorically clarify that the person detained does not belong to the human resources of the HEALTH RECORDS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, in any of the country's facilities.
«Our association firmly rejects any act that attacks the ethics, transparency, and principles that must govern public service,» the statement informs, which also calls for moving forward so that qualified individuals are the ones handling these specialized appointments.
CALL FOR ATTENTION «The staff that schedules these appointments, such as X-rays, gastroenterology, coloproctology, endoscopy, and colonoscopy, are evaluated,» expresses Martínez, and one must pay attention to this, reiterates the licensed professional, stating that no one will pay more than B/. 100.00 for a consultation.
Crispín Chavarría N.
The Panamanian Association of Health Statisticians (APES), in response to information circulating in various media and social networks about the apprehension on December 4, 2025, of a person allegedly linked to the crime against public administration in the form of corruption of a public official, explains to the public that this person does not work for or belong to the human resources of any Health Records and Statistics Department.
In a statement from APES, it is indicated that: «According to the media», the investigated official is attributed the alleged use of her position to request and receive money in exchange for the assignment of medical appointments.
La Verdad Panamá was able to learn that the person is an official of the institution, but located in another department, and there APES officials do not grant appointments, that is administrative, explained the General Secretary of the Association, Lorena Martínez.
The APES officials, for now and only, give appointments for consultations, as one of the many responsibilities they have in the processing and scheduling of their records.
As of April 5, 2022, this step will contribute to guaranteeing greater transparency, efficiency, and equity in access to health services for the entire Panamanian population.
The post APES has nothing to do with the Social Security official apprehended for a bribe was first published on La Verdad Panamá.
Hence the defense of all medical records personnel, whom they urge to continue their work as best as possible.
Similarly, in the statement, APES reaffirms the commitment of the professionals in Health Records and Statistics to the responsible management of information, the organization of administrative processes, and support for health management for the benefit of all patients, and urges the population to report any irregularity that affects the quality and legality of health services, and reiterates collaboration with the authorities of health institutions to strengthen institutional trust.
CLARIFYING ROLES Given what happened, APES informs the public that the professionals in Health Records and Statistics are qualified personnel, regulated by Law 41 of June 30, 2009, and Executive Decree 103 of July 1, 2022, regulations that recognize and empower the profession as responsible for the management of schedules and the processing of appointments in health institutions serving the State.
Martínez also referred, however, that there are still health services that maintain the appointment process under their own internal procedures. «For that, one goes to private healthcare».
