Panamanian veterinary association warns of public health risks following staff dismissals

The Panamanian Association of Veterinary Physicians (APMV) has expressed strong opposition to the dismissal of several specialized veterinarians from public administration roles. The association describes these removals as unjustified and illegal, warning that they undermine the state's technical capacity in critical areas.

According to the APMV, the loss of these professionals impacts public health, epidemiological surveillance, and wildlife protection. The organization emphasizes that veterinarians serve as a primary defense against zoonotic diseases—infections transmitted from animals to humans—and are essential for implementing the 'One Health' approach, which links animal, human, and environmental health.

Furthermore, the association warned that the reduction in specialized personnel weakens the country's ability to respond to environmental emergencies, such as mass mortality events, marine strandings, and pollution. The loss of experts in marine and wildlife sectors specifically compromises the monitoring of sentinel species like cetaceans, turtles, sea birds, and jaguars, which are vital for detecting early sanitary threats to ecosystems.