The Latin University of Panama has firmly rejected recent publications by The Press regarding data from the Basic Certification in Medicine,managed by the Interinstitutional Board of Basic Certification in Medicine. In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 4, the university clarified that it has graduated 1,562 doctors over the past decade, many of whom are thriving in the medical field both in Panama and abroad, contributing significantly to the country’s public and private health sectors.
The university’s statement contrasts sharply with the figure of 4,161 graduates cited by The Press. Though, the publication clarified that its report referred to graduates who had taken the certification test, not those already practicing medicine after passing it. Data from the Interinstitutional Board of Basic Certification in Medicine reveals that graduates from the Latin University of Panama have taken the test an average of 2.7 times.
Dr. Paulino Vigil de Gracia,a researcher and professor at the university,explained in an Instagram post that the 4,162 attempts likely represent the total number of test attempts by its students. With 1,562 graduates, this averages out to 2.7 attempts per student.
Rosario turner, former Minister of Health and current Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Latin University, emphasized, “We are not selective.” This statement highlights the university’s open admission policy, which differs from institutions like the University of Panama and the Autonomous University of Chiriquí, which have stricter entrance criteria.
The Latin University of Panama categorically rejects any attempts to discredit its graduates’ education based on what it calls a biased interpretation of the data. “The data must be evaluated objectively, fairly, and without manipulations that distort reality,” the university stated.
Among private universities, the Latin University of Panama has a 55% failure rate in the certification test, placing it alongside institutions like the American University (69%), Columbus University (61%), and the Inter-American University (46%).
To date, the Latin University of Panama is the only private university to publicly refute the data presented by The Press.| Key data | Details |
|———————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Graduates (Last 10 Years) | 1,562 |
| Total Test Attempts | 4,162 |
| average Attempts per Student | 2.7 |
| Failure Rate | 55% |
| Comparison Universities | American University (69%), Columbus University (61%), Inter-American University (46%) |
The university’s response underscores its commitment to transparency and the quality of its medical education program. For more insights into the Basic Certification in medicine, visit the official page of the Interinstitutional Board of Basic Certification in Medicine.
