Bill 114.

Summary.

The bill proposes establishing the National System of Public Veterinary Hospitals (Sistema Nacional de Hospitales Veterinarios Públicos) as a network of hospitals in different provinces of Panama to provide accessible veterinary medical care for companion animals. It defines a public veterinary hospital as a public institution devoted to animal medical care and provides for hospitals nationwide. The Ministry of Agricultural Development (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario) would supervise and direct them in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud). Each hospital would need the corresponding license issued by MIDA.

The network would offer general and specialized medical care, emergency services, major and minor surgery, vaccination and disease control, sterilization and castration programs, laboratory services and diagnostic imaging, and education on responsible ownership and animal welfare. The bill provides for programs to prevent, control, and eradicate animal diseases, together with early detection and rapid response mechanisms for outbreaks. It also calls for continuing training for medical and technical staff and compensation mechanisms for owners whose animals are confiscated for disease control.

Each hospital would have to follow biosecurity protocols to prevent the spread of disease and maintain systems for the safe handling and disposal of biological and chemical waste. As to penalties, the bill provides for fines and administrative sanctions for unlawful practices, as well as license revocation in cases of gross negligence. These provisions would govern hospital operations and the veterinary activities carried out within the public network.

Funding would come from the General State Budget; donations and contributions from nongovernmental organizations, private companies, and individuals; and proceeds from fundraising activities and charitable events. MIDA would allocate a specific annual budget for the operation of the public hospitals. The bill provides for periodic evaluation of services and collection of users’ views. The Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (Contraloría General de la República) would conduct annual audits, and their results would be public and accessible to citizens.

The Executive Branch, through MIDA, would issue the implementing regulations within no more than six months after promulgation. Another provision sets a period of three (3) months after promulgation for the law to be regulated. The proposed law would take effect on the day following its promulgation. Its subject matter concerns the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the Ministry of Health, and the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic; it could also affect companion animal owners, veterinary and technical personnel, animal welfare organizations, and entities contributing resources to the hospitals.