You can click on any of the thumbnails on this blog to enlarge the photos.
When Troubling Statistics Meet Stark Reality
Last week I had a chance to spend a couple hours with four young men in from ‘the interior’ on a break of sorts from their duties as Peace Corp volunteers working with the Ngobe Bugle indigenous people in the Camarca (reservation). All of them are impressive young folks – in their 20s, college educated with degrees in fields critical in the camarca (health, diet, agriculture, etc.) and bright-eyed and bushy-tailed all.
I got into a long and detailed conversation with young Paul as he explained what a welcome break it was to get back to ‘civilization’ that included such things as potable water and electricity, and a chance to have a conversation with an English-speaker. He peaked my interest when he described his travel itinerary the next day back to his village. There ain’t no bus stop at his place! This story requires another beer.
Paul’s trip starts on the bus from David to Chiriqui Grande, a small town about two hours down the highway on the way over to the Pacific coast province of Bocas del Toro. Then he takes a two hour voyage by canoe across a bay where he is met by some folks from his village at the mouth of the river for another hour by canoe upriver. Then it is only about an hour’s hike to the village from there, trail conditions permitting. Phew!
After another beer, we started comparing notes. Last year I had unearthed some alarming statistics about life in Panama’s interior, which really became the basis for my book, ‘Angels in Panama’. Paul had a ‘head full’ of Peace Corp and other agency stats. “Is the life expectancy still nine years less in the interior than in the rest of Panama,” I asked. Pre-natal care still nonexistent? Childhood diseases running rampant out of control? And only about 30% even complete grade school? …“Yes to all,” Paul replied.
The mood turned somber when I asked, “And the infant mortality rate in the first two years of life still about 50%?” Paul’s face turned to stone. After a long silence he offered, “A year and a half ago on my very first day, before I had even been introduced around, the chief took me with him when he was called to a hut. A little girl about 11 months old was on her death bed. I asked why, from what and no one seemed to know. So they called in some kind of ‘Holy Man’ and before morning they were burying her.”
He then looked me in the eye and said, “In all the villages around mine, so I assume it is the same throughout the camarca, they don’t even name a little one until they are about two years old.” Then he added with a forced grin, “Why waste names?”
Oh my. Sometimes putting a face on statistics can be painful!
What’s Hot In Panama?
Things You May Not Know About Panama (Want to get a pencil?)
- Panama has the second largest duty free zone in the world, second only to Hong Kong
- Panama (the approximate area of South Carolina) has more birds than the United States and Canada combined.
- At its narrowest point, it is only 80 kilometers across Panama. That’s right, you could leave a beach on the Pacific, and drive 48 miles and be on an Atlantic beach.
Emergency Room Doctors Strike: Doctors working in the Emergency Room of the Metropolitan Hospital Complex of the Social Security protested over a lack of supplies and better conditions to be able to care for patients. The doctors, who did not suspend the attention in the emergency room, have been complaining about the lack of gloves and equipment such as electrodes for weeks, and they are having to improvise to be able to test patients. They say the directors of the Social Security Fund are obliged to meet these needs. The director of the Hospital Roberto Mitre expressed willingness to meet with the doctors when they choose. Mitre said he was willing to review each demand made by the Emergency Room doctors. (TVN)
- Larry Notes: The Social Security Hospital system is part of the federal government healthcare system. Probably the closest comparable thing in the U.S. would be the V.A. system. Many of the doctors are government employees and union members. There is constant turmoil of this type surrounding the system. You sure you like the idea of U.S. government healthcare? Of course, every time one of these situations rears its ugly head I wonder the same thing. And that is, ‘Where was this director who is so eager to talk yesterday?’
Unemployment in Panama: Roberto Henriquez, Panama's Minister of Economy and Finance, sent via his Twitter account - "Unemployment in Panama is at 5.6%, the lowest rate in 45 years. Together we will resolve the problems of health and education."
Don Winter of Panama Guide notes: The unemployment rate in Panama continues to fall and in fact I don't really trust this 5.6% number because I think in reality it's even lower. Large business owners and employers will tell you they are having more and more problems finding qualified workers to fill the positions already available. Both the government and private entities are working hard to "train up" those Panamanians who are ready and willing to work, but who lack a skill set that would allow them to enter the labor market. …. The unprecedented growth in the Panamanian economy will continue to generate additional revenue for the government, which they can spend to fix the problems of health and education.
Snapshots From David
Dengue Fever Returns To Panama: So far this year there have been 245 confirmed cases of classic dengue, and two of hemorrhagic dengue fever. So far, the regions with the highest rate of infestation include Chiriqui with 5.9%. The most affected population is those between 25 and 49 years of age
There are four dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4. The first time a person is infected by any of four virus they will acquire dengue fever. After that you will never be infected by the same virus again, however you remain susceptible to the other three serotypes. If the person is again bitten by a mosquito carrying one of the three remaining virus, dengue hemorrhagic fever may develop, which is much more dangerous and causes death in most cases. There are no vaccines for any of the serotypes, the only way to prevent dengue is to eliminate the mosquito and to keep from being bitten in the first place.
Rains in the country have intensified in recent weeks, increasing the risk of the creation of additional breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Following two recent deaths, the Ministry of Health has increased fumigation and home visits in order to head off a possible epidemic.
Heavy Rains Cause Damage In/Around David: Multiple damages were reported on the evening of July 28th, a product of heavy rains and winds that left at least 10 trees fallen on homes, streets and power lines; also nine homes were affected by overflowing storm drains. The heavy downpour was accompanied by heavy rain, thunder and lightening, and gusting winds. The main effects addressed by the Department of Emergency Response were a house in a neighborhood of David, where a family lost all of their belongings due to flooding, trees falling on houses in several areas of Chiriqui, and damage stopping traffic in an outlying neighborhood.
And On The Two Days After The Rains: On the Friday after the deluge, David hosted a big bike race. The field of competitors included riders from six Latin American countries.
The race was a mountain riding test with the route going up into the mountains in Chiriqui. The winner (a Colombian) traveled the 15 mile course, in the rain through the winding highway in the mountains in 24 minutes. WOW!
And on Saturday there was a big festival in Parque de Cervantes.
The festivities started with a parade that must have included every club, organization, school and church group in the nation. Maybe some people marched several times?
Then everyone collected in the park for bands, singers, choral groups, dancers ,etc. A good time was had by all. And the afternoon showers held off until the festivities were concluded. Double WOW!
My Book – ‘Angels in Panama’
Judy Brown from Texas sent me a nice review of my book. She also included this picture which is most appreciated and very clever. Thanks again Judy.
Bad News – Due to some kind of disconnect between the publisher and retailers, the ebook version of my book on both Amazon (Kindle) and Barnes and Noble (Nook) are priced off the chart. I am trying to get that resolved, but until it is I have removed those links from my postings.
The link below is for the paperback version of my book from Publish America (the publisher) I have also included a link to my website where you can read excerpts of ‘Angels in Panama’ if you want.
Paperback from Publisher $9.95
Till Next Time. Pura Vida
Recent Comments