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Panama's President Diagnosed with Blood Disorder

by Chris Hannas

   Panama's President Laurentino Cortizo announced Monday he has been
   diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.

   The 69-year-old Cortizo said in a statement the "medium risk"
   myelodysplastic syndrome was discovered as part of routine blood tests
   taken in May that showed a drop in his hemoglobin and white blood cell
   count.

   Myelodysplastic syndrome affects the blood-forming cells in bone
   marrow. The American Cancer Society considers it a type of cancer.

   Cortizo is due to get a second opinion at a specialist in Houston,
   Texas, after his July 1 annual address to Panama's National Assembly.

   Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and
   Reuters.