QUESTIONS  continue to reverberate in the media and on social networks over revelations of major financial donations for surgery to government employees and deputies when they receive handsome salaries, sufficient to enable them  to purchase health insurance.

Speaking of the  latest revelation of over $27,000 paid to  a presidency employee earning $6,000 a month, State spokesman Manuel Domínguez said: "Mrs. Calviño required emergency surgery. It was authorized to cover part of the costs. The details of this support were published transparently on the web site of the Presidency of the Republic last year, as was done with other health situations and emergencies covered with these funds, including the cardiovascular operations of 28 Panamanians, and other emergency situations."

Asked about the criteria for making these disbursements that benefit employees who have a salary that allows them to pay for private health insurance and obtain bank financing for these

emergencies, he replied: "For all cases, the criterion is strictly social."

The issue first arose after it came to light that with money from the discretionary fund paid for medical

Expenses, related to cosmetic surgery  totaling $17,420 for Rolando Lopez, executive secretary of the National Security Council. He earns $7,000 a month.

Council. Others who received support for surgical interventions were National Assembly Secretary Franz Wever ($7,787), Deputy Vidal Garcia ($76,997) and and Alternate Deputy Eduardo Paz ($6,500)