Health care in Panama is provided through the government and private sector businesses. The public sector is funded through the Ministry of Health (MINSA), and the Social Security Fund (CSS), which operate separate facilities. The CSS is both a healthcare provider and a pension fund administrator. It is funded by contributions from employers and employees. About 3.47 million people of the population of roughly 3.9 million were covered by its provisions in 2013, this included both the contributors and their dependents. MINSA provides low-cost facilities for those not covered. In 2014 it operated 830 health facilities.[1]
Rural areas can face problems with the public health care system, where a lack of funding creates a shortage of beds. The majority of doctors prefer to live in Panama City where there are higher patient loads and more economic opportunities. Panama City and David have become medical tourism destinations, especially for aesthetic and orthopaedic procedures.[2]