Craig and I drove to Chiriquí Hospital today to have preventive dermatology checkups. Because of an abundance of caution over Coronavirus concerns, we have been staying on our side of the Boquete checkpoint. We have been able to get all our needs met right here. We felt it was an important appointment as the higher altitude here means greater UV exposure. Don’t let the cooler Boquete temperatures fool you, the sun is strong! It felt a bit surreal as we drove to David as it had been over 3 months since we were there. David is the largest city in Chiriquí province.
When we arrived at the hospital, we were directed to the side entrance as the main doors were locked. Our temperatures were taken and hands sanitized. Needless to say, masks are mandatory! On the 3rd floor, there was a central check-in with a small waiting area with and chairs were spaced apart. I was called in first. My temperature was taken again. Since it was slightly elevated, the nurse waited a few more minutes and re-took it. By that time, it had come down to normal. I’m not sure what was going on, but the infrared temperature gun was aimed at my neck rather than my forehead. And it was also rather warm in the waiting room as the air conditioning had not yet been turned on.
This was our first time seeing Dra. Karen Zapata who did very thorough examinations. Pictures were taken of my moles and Dra. said that nothing looked awry. Her English is very good which is a bonus. Craig was called in shortly after. His visit took longer as he has had some skin issues to go along with his time spent on construction sites in the Florida sun. Dra. wants to monitor a few spots on Craig so he will go back in 3 months. I don’t need to return for another year. All in all we were very pleased with the professionalism as well as the price of our visits. We self insure and we paid $60 each for a thorough examination.
On our way home going through the checkpoint, our car tires were disinfected. I am not sure what benefit this has, but this is the procedure. Our temperatures were once again taken and home we went.
