What Happened
Three children in Chiriquí received a landmark heart procedure at the Centro Hospitalario Especializado Dr. Rafael Hernández L. in David, marking the first time the treatment has been performed in the province. The patients, ages 8 months, 9 months, and 6 years, underwent closure of a persistent ductus arteriosus, known as DAP, using a minimally invasive cardiac catheterization technique in the hospital’s hybrid operating room.
The procedure corrected a condition that can lead to serious heart and lung complications if it is not treated in time. After the intervention, the three children were reported to be recovering well and were expected to receive medical discharge over the weekend.
A Regional Breakthrough
The milestone was made possible through coordination among the Dr. Rafael Hernández L. Hospital of the Caja de Seguro Social in Chiriquí, the Hospital Materno Infantil José Domingo de Obaldía, and the Hospital del Niño. The work reflects a broader effort to strengthen specialized pediatric care outside the capital and bring complex procedures closer to families in western Panama.
According to hospital leaders, the achievement is especially significant for households that previously had to travel to Panama City for this type of treatment. Receiving care in Chiriquí reduces transportation costs and eases the emotional burden on families during a child’s medical treatment.
How the Procedure Works
The closures were performed through femoral punctures, allowing doctors to reach the heart through a catheter rather than open surgery. That approach usually means a less invasive recovery and, in these cases, the children left the operating room without needing mechanical ventilation.
Specialists involved in the treatment noted that the DAP can sometimes remain open longer in mountainous regions such as the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca. In contrast, the ductus often closes naturally after birth. If it stays open, it can affect normal blood flow and place extra strain on the heart and lungs.
Why It Matters for Chiriquí
Doctors described the procedures as a major step for pediatric cardiology in the province. Beyond helping the three children treated this week, the success opens the door for more complex heart care to be delivered locally in the future.
For families in western Panama, the development could mean earlier diagnosis, faster treatment, and less need to travel long distances for specialized care. Medical teams involved in the effort also see it as the start of a continuing regional program for high-complexity pediatric procedures.