Panama's ministry of health has penalized 12 employees of the National Oncologic Institute, Panamanian daily La Prensa has reported.
In an investigative report issued last week, the ministry blamed the employees for radiation overdoses administered to 28 pelvic cancer patients between August 2000 and February 2001. Twelve of the 28 patients have died so far, 7 remain hospitalized, and the condition of the other 9 remains guarded, in an incident which has drawn international attention to the importance of safety issues in radiation therapy.
The sanctions were commensurate with each employee's degree of responsibility for the incidents according to the investigation, La Prensa said. Two physicists were dismissed and permanently barred from practicing their profession, while another was barred from related employment for three years.
One oncologic radiation therapy physician was dismissed and his credentials revoked for five years, four other radiotherapy physicians received suspensions ranging from 1-6 months, and four technicians received written censure, La Prensa reported August 2.
Following the decision, institute director Juan Pablo Barés offered to resign at the discretion of the ministry, which has not yet responded.
Institute physicians have blasted the penalties, calling them excessively harsh, and needlessly stigmatizing for those involved. They have asked health ministry director Fernando Gracia to carefully review the penalties on a case-by-case basis and reduce them where appropriate, according to La Prensa.
Moreover, they said, the accidents were understandable considering that the radiation therapy staff is small and overworked, and that demand for services is extremely heavy on the institute's only available radiation therapy system, used to treat more than 100 patients a day. It's time to spend whatever money is needed to upgrade equipment and installations to prevent future accidents, the doctors said.
Doctors, patients and others weighed in with their views in a peaceful protest August 3 at the institute, La Prensa reported. Protesters demanded justice for the memory of the dead patients, and justice for doctors who they say were tried and convicted without being given an opportunity to state their views.
Radiation therapy services were not offered August 3 in what has been called a common occurrence at the institute due to shortages of staff, equipment, and supplies, according to La Prensa.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
August 7, 2001
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Autopsies blame radiation for Panama patients' deaths, July 27, 2001
12th Panama patient dies as investigation nears completion, July 25, 2001
FDA provides details on Panama incidents, July 23, 2001
Panama orders autopsies of radiation accident victims, July 5, 2001
Second stage of Panama investigation begins, June 7, 2001
Eight reported dead in Panama after radiation therapy, June 6, 2001
Investigation continues in fatal Panama radiation therapy accident, May 29, 2001
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