In the Mythical Land known as Panama

Posted by Lee on October 27, 2008

About one year ago in a Land known as Boquete Panama a woman took ill with acute liver failure. After excellent care in David Panama she was medically evacuated to Panama City where after a month of excellent care she recovered and has moved on with her life. Her life was saved by a costly, over $15,000 medical evacuation covered by a very costly US health insurance plan.

As her husband, I was determined to find an affordable solution for other people who might have a similar need in the future. I discovered and embraced LifeFlight Panama a very comprehensive and well conceived plan for Medical Evacuation in Panama. I helped introduce Lifeflight intp the Boquete community and believed the need justified the product. Lifeflight Panama is gone.

Not being a pathologist I have never done a post mortum on a person but over the years I have done more than a few on businesses. My question to Lifeflight Panama was what happened?

After my note published yesterday I received a telephone call from one of the principles in Lifeflight Panama, a man I know worked tirelessly to make the project happen. He explained in simple terms the cause of death of a needed business; Panama. Simple and painful, after significant investment the business was never able to obtain the correct licensing to do business. After despair and frustration the principals surrendered to the bureaucracy and gave up. I have been told all member funds have been refunded and no checks were ever cashed. The loss of Lifeflight is not in cash to the members but in opportunity loss to the country.

The loss of this enterprise is a tragedy to all Panamanian residents, there is no alternative in the country. The lesson should be a lesson to anyone looking to start, invest or purchase a business in this country. You are not in KANSAS anymore, the rules are different, the government is different, the laws are different. It has been said too many extranjeros (expats) check their brains at the airport when they enter the country. Please be sure you bring yours along. Panama is ripe with opportunity and has a potential pitfall to match each potential opportunity.