The National Association of Auxiliary Practitioners and Nursing Technicians (ANPATE) and the National Association of Nurses of Panama state that the functions claimed by surgical technicians are already performed by nurses in operating rooms. According to these groups, nurses accompany the patient from their entry into the operating room until their recovery, so they fear that the law will end up displacing them from their jobs. Despite the criticism, Vega assured that the proposal does not seek to affect other health professionals. Surgical technicians issued a warning to the deputies and ensured that this week they will insist that their professional competence is finally recognized when the discussion of bill 255 resumes in the Health subcommittee of the National Assembly of Panama. The president of the Association of Surgical Technicians, Carmen Vega, reminded the deputies that professional recognition is a fair demand for those who have invested years in studies and preparation within the surgical area. According to Vega, surgical technicians aspire to continue advancing academically and reach a bachelor's degree as an incentive to strengthen their knowledge and improve patient care. "We have been trying to bring this project to a successful conclusion for 12 years, and we hope that on this occasion justice will be done for the surgical technician," she noted. However, bill 255 has encountered resistance within the health sector. "We respect your valuable work in the operating rooms," Vega concluded.
