San Carlos Officials Halt Illegal Burning by Social Security Fund Personnel
A recent inspection revealed the Social Security Fund (CSS) in San Carlos, Panama, engaged in the unlawful incineration of waste materials, prompting a swift response from local authorities and raising concerns about public health and environmental practices. The investigation, spurred by citizen complaints of smoke, uncovered a pattern of improper disposal involving sensitive documents and other discarded items.
The mayor of San Carlos initiated the probe after receiving multiple reports from residents regarding smoke emanating from a property owned by the CSS, specifically in the “grapes sector.” Officials discovered a Polyclinic ‘Dr. Juan Vega Méndez’ vehicle transporting discarded stationery for on-site burning.
Drone Footage Reveals Scale of Illegal Incineration
Aerial images captured by a drone provided damning evidence of the operation. The footage showed CSS personnel unloading boxes and paper packages, subsequently discarding them into a ditch already containing incinerated material. This practice directly violates environmental regulations and poses potential health risks to the surrounding community.
The inspection was conducted in collaboration with personnel from Environmental Sanitation of the Ministry of Health (Minsa) and the Ministry of Environment (Miambiente), underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.
Mayor Issues Summons, Condemns Health Entity’s Actions
Mayor Antonio Pope has issued summons for CSS personnel to provide explanations for their actions. “It is unforgivable that a health entity adopts this practice,” he stated, emphasizing the hypocrisy of a healthcare organization engaging in environmentally damaging and potentially hazardous behavior.
He further revealed that the municipality has previously documented similar incidents at the same location, indicating a recurring issue with improper waste disposal by the CSS.
Stationery Dates Back Over a Decade
Odyssey Platañotis, Administrator of the Polyclinic ‘Dr. Juan Vega Méndez’, explained that the incinerated materials consisted of medical prescriptions and administrative stationery dating from 2012 to 2023, originating from both the Polyclinic and the Ulaca de San José. The rationale behind the improper disposal remains under investigation.
This incident highlights a critical need for improved waste management protocols within the CSS and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations to protect public health and the environment in San Carlos.
