What Happened
Patients, visitors and staff at the Complejo Hospitalario Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid on the Transístmica continue to face mobility challenges after La Prensa found that only one of the three elevators in the main area is operational. New elevator units intended to replace the aging equipment remain stored in the hospital parking area and have not yet been installed.
The limited elevator availability is affecting circulation inside one of the country’s busiest health complexes, increasing wait times, corridor congestion and complicating movement for older adults, people with reduced mobility and hospital personnel who must move equipment between floors.
Installation timeline and institutional response
The Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) has announced a work schedule for five new elevators for the complex. CSS director of Infrastructure and Support Services, Yariela de De Sanctis, told Radio Red’s program 180 Minutos that the first elevator was due to be installed at the end of February, but a La Prensa visit on March 16 found no visible installation progress.
According to the CSS schedule, the second elevator is planned for March 30, the third for June, the fourth for July and the fifth for September 2026, when the project is expected to be completed. The CSS reported in September 2025 that the elevators had been tendered and awarded, but installation depends on the supplier responsible for delivery and assembly. De Sanctis noted the process requires technical evaluations, certifications and coordination with different infrastructure units.
Problem extends beyond Arnulfo Arias
De Sanctis described the overall state of elevator equipment across CSS facilities nationwide as “deplorable.” Of about 97 elevators distributed across hospitals, polyclinics and other medical units, several show serious faults. The CSS says 22 elevators in total need replacement; seven of those belong to the Arnulfo Arias complex. Five of the new elevators for the complex are already on site, pending technical reviews and internal administrative steps, while two units have not yet arrived.
What this means for patients and staff
Until installations proceed, patients and workers must manage with a single operating elevator in a center that serves thousands daily. The shortage worsens delays for consultations, procedures and visits, strains staff who transport supplies and medical equipment, and reduces accessibility for those with mobility needs.
The CSS expects that once the new elevators are installed, wait times and circulation problems will ease, accessibility will improve and risks associated with limited internal movement will decline in Panama’s largest hospital complex.