History
On 1936, President Juan Demóstenes Arosemena (a physician), conceived the creation of the National Radiologic Institute, an institution dedicated to treat cancer. The treatments were given on the Santo Tomas Hospital and on the former 'Panama Hospital'.
On September 18, 1940, during the administration of President Augusto Boyd, the new facilities of the National Radiologic Institute were inaugurated, giving it its own building. The Institute was part of the Santo Tomas Hospital. This institute had 4 doctors, 3 nurses, and 40 beds. The treatments they had were radiotherapy, implantation of Radium needles, injections of hydrogenated mustard and surgery.
The institute had a passive handling of cancer, because the treatment of cancer given at the time was to ease pain in patients.
On 1965, a more active role in the battle against cancer is started, when the latest advancements of the time are applied in the detection and treatment of this illness.
Later that year the National Radiologic Institute was renamed "Juan Demóstenes Arosemena" Cancerologic Center, as a recognition of the work of this physician and creator of the institution. A Cobalt-60 pump was acquired.
On 1980, the institution begins relations with the government of Japan, that was interested on the treatment of cancer in Panama, and by which a donation of medical and surgical equipment, including ultrasound, X-rays, and others are acquired.
On 1984, by law 11, the National Oncologic Institute (Instituto Oncologico Nacional) "Juan Demóstenes Arosemena" is created.
On June 3, 1999, the Panamanian Government, on President Ernesto Perez Balladares administration, gives buildings 242 and 254 of the former Gorgas Hospital to the Institute, and on July 23 the Institute moves to this location from the building on Justo Arosemena Avenue.
The Hospital has continued its growth and acquired new equipment, like a linear accelerator, a new CT and opened its ICU
Read more about this topic: Instituto Oncologico Nacional
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