The Ministry of Health (Minsa), through the San Miguelito Health Region, inaugurated the Reference Center for Diagnostic Cytopathology (CERCID) at the San Isidro Health Policentro. This center aims to process Pap smear tests from all health regions nationwide. Additionally, it seeks to significantly reduce the delivery time of results, enabling timely diagnosis and early treatment of cervical cancer, the second leading cause of death among women in Panama. Key services being implemented include reading cytologies, digitizing results, using artificial intelligence, and controlling sample quality. It will also function as a training center for new cytotechnologists. Furthermore, new health services such as ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology, as well as a wound and diabetic foot care clinic, have been incorporated into this health facility, expanding specialized care for the population. Vice Minister of Health, Manuel Zambrano Chang, highlighted that with the opening of the Cytopathology Reference Center, surgical backlogs will be reduced, and pre-diagnoses will be possible through the remote sending of information to specialists. "This will facilitate the early obtaining of molecular diagnostics and the scheduling of follow-up evaluations, so that patients can receive treatment in a timely manner." "With the incorporation of this technology, the Ministry of Health reinforces its strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by the year 2029," stated Zambrano Chang. Similarly, the First Lady's Office inaugurated the Early Stimulation Room at the San Isidro Policentro, where it also delivered key equipment and supplies to boost the comprehensive development of early childhood and strengthen the health care at this facility. "I want to express our deepest gratitude to the honorable Mrs. Maricel Cohen de Mulino for this donation for the benefit of the children of San Miguelito," expressed the Vice Minister of Health. He added that early stimulation is fundamental, as it favors the comprehensive development of children from their first years of life (especially between 0 and 5 years), a key stage in which the brain presents a greater capacity for learning. During the event, baby baskets were delivered to mothers and pregnant women who are treated at the health centers of the San Miguelito Health Region. Those present at the event included the First Lady of the Republic, Maricel Cohen de Mulino; the Vice Minister of Health, Manuel Zambrano Chang; Dr. Algis Torres, director of the San Miguelito Health Region; Dr. Yajaira Ramos, medical director of the San Isidro Health Policentro, and other authorities.
