What Happened
Doctors at the Manuel Amador Guerrero Hospital in Colón carried out the first craniotomy for a brain tumor in the facility’s history, a milestone for specialized care in the province. The operation was performed successfully on a 50-year-old patient who arrived at the emergency room with convulsions.
Neurosurgeons Héctor Lezcano and Francisco Medina led the procedure to remove the tumor. The patient is now recovering in intensive care, where she remains sedated and under constant monitoring while brain swelling decreases.
A New Step for Health Care in Colón
The surgery is a significant development for Colón because it expands access to high-complexity neurosurgical care outside Panama City. Patients in the province who previously needed specialized intervention in the capital can now receive this type of treatment closer to home.
President José Raúl Mulino returned to the hospital to meet with the medical team and recognize the achievement. He praised the doctors and said the procedure reflects the quality of medicine being offered to residents of Colón.
Hospital Performance and Services
During his visit, Mulino toured several areas of the hospital, including outpatient care, neonatology and hemodialysis. He also spoke with patients and family members who expressed satisfaction with the services they are receiving.
Mulino highlighted the integration of the Ministry of Health and the Social Security Fund at the hospital, describing the arrangement as efficient and cost-saving. He said the facility continues to operate with the same efficiency and cleanliness seen at its inauguration in June 2025.
What Comes Next
Lezcano said tissue removed during surgery will be sent to pathology to determine the type of cells and establish a definitive diagnosis. That analysis will help guide the next stage of treatment for the patient as her recovery continues in intensive care.
The milestone also comes as the hospital reports strong activity between December 2025 and March 2026, with 5,038 surgeries, 49,161 emergency cases, 3,861 discharges, 140,892 medications dispensed, 246,170 laboratory tests, 16,429 simple X-rays, 2,42 ultrasound studies and 2,661 CT scans. The figures underscore the growing role of the hospital as a major medical center for the province.