Updates on public health, medical research, and healthcare services in Panama. Stories include policy changes, outbreaks, and practical health advice.
Panama’s Social Security Fund has added robotic surgery equipment to strengthen tele-surgery and expand access to complex operations. The technology is intended to help patients in the interior receive advanced care without traveling to the capital.
Panama’s CSS will launch Mi Receta Digital, an online prescription system tied to Mi Caja Digital. The change aims to speed up medication pickup and cut pharmacy lines.
Three cruise passengers were evacuated off Cape Verde after a hantavirus outbreak raised urgent health concerns aboard the vessel. The case highlights the public health risks that can emerge on international cruise routes.
Hospital Santo Tomás and AstraZeneca signed a scientific cooperation agreement in Panama to strengthen care for rare diseases. The pact brings together public health leadership and private sector expertise around specialized patient care.
Panama handed out 2,000 scholarships in the first phase of the “Abrazos del Futuro” program, targeting children identified through labor inspections and field visits. The effort focuses on areas such as Coclé and Panama City where child labor concerns are greater.
Panama City’s “Niñez Sana que Brilla” program reached La Concepción in Juan Díaz with free health, legal and social services for more than 300 residents. The outreach combined medical care with child-focused activities, mental health guidance and community support.
Hospital Santo Tomás will add Ravulizumab for rare diseases through a three-year partnership with AstraZeneca. The agreement expands access to advanced therapy in Panama’s public health system.
A child care center in Panama Viejo has been closed for nearly a year, leaving 90 to 100 children without services and the building visibly damaged. The shutdown has raised concerns for families who relied on the center for daily support.
The Social Security Fund of Panama is working to repair failures in its digital patient record system while moving ahead with electronic prescriptions. The changes are part of a broader effort to modernize public health services.
San Miguelito’s busy polyclinic is using an appointment system to organize patient care, but limited space continues to strain daily operations. The case reflects broader pressure on public health services in densely populated areas.
Panamanian authorities are again confronting the problem of abandoned elderly patients in public hospitals, including a case at Nicolás A. Solano that has lasted more than 700 days. Officials said some families give false addresses or fail to respond, leaving hospitals to care for patients long after treatment ends.
The Catholic Church in Veraguas urged parents and teachers to strengthen values education to help prevent bullying and violence among minors. The message reflects growing concern in Panama about youth behavior and school safety.
Eusebia Calderón de Copete was elected president of the Board of Directors of Panama’s Caja de Seguro Social. The appointment places her at the center of one of the country’s most important public institutions.
Panama’s Ministry of Health is rolling out telemedicine and pharmacy pickup for medicines nationwide to improve access and make care more convenient. The initiative aims to connect remote consultations with easier prescription access.
Panama’s Health Ministry plans to invest $1 billion in 2026 to build new hospitals, modernize health centers and expand telemedicine. The program is designed to improve access and strengthen the public health system nationwide.
Fernando Boyd toured the new palliative care and cancer pain relief unit at the National Oncology Institute in Ciudad de la Salud. The space is intended to improve comfort, dignity, and comprehensive care for cancer patients.
Ciudad de la Salud has opened a palliative care oncology room at the Cancerology Hospital, offering support to both insured and uninsured patients. The service expands access to comfort-focused cancer care in Panama City.
Panama has recorded more than 2,000 dengue cases so far this year, with six deaths reported. The Metropolitan Region, Colón and San Miguelito are among the hardest-hit areas.
Idaan resumed service at the Centenario water plant in Pacora after a chlorine leak triggered an emergency. The operator involved was hospitalized and later confirmed to be out of danger.
Panama will hold Escuelas para Padres sessions from May 12 to 15 in all 16 education regions, bringing thousands of parents into school-focused learning spaces. The program highlights the growing importance of cooperation between families and schools.