AGP Executive Report

El Niño Preparedness: Panama is among the countries activating emergency measures as the 2026–27 El Niño threatens drought, flooding and water shortages across the Americas. Earthquake Recovery: Health authorities have confirmed three deaths from injuries sustained in the October 9 earthquake. A separate 5.9-magnitude tremor on October 31 disrupted Metro service. The Sergio Núñez Hospital in Ocú is slated for a $10 million repair and equipment upgrade; land has also been secured for a temporary rural hospital in Tonosí. Malaria Watch: Authorities reported 34 cases near Merca Panamá and stressed that malaria is not spread through food. Care Costs: Bill 746, awaiting presidential approval, would expand senior discounts, including reductions for medicines, consultations, lab tests and cancer treatment. A separate working group is also setting medicine prices.

Hospital Recovery: Panama plans a $10 million investment to repair earthquake damage and equip Hospital Sergio Núñez de Ocú, though no construction timeline has been announced. Senior Health Costs: President Mulino says he will sign Bill 746, expanding discounts for retirees and older adults, including savings on medicines, lab tests and consultations; the law takes effect six months after publication. Disease Watch: Health authorities report 34 malaria cases near Merca Panamá and stress that the disease is not transmitted through food. Earthquake Aftermath: Authorities confirmed three deaths and 27 injuries from the October 9 quake. Children affected by the disaster also need emotional and psychological support, the Archbishop of Panama said.

Hospital Recovery: Panama plans a $10 million investment to repair earthquake damage and add equipment at Hospital Sergio Núñez de Ocú; land is also ready for a temporary rural hospital in Tonosí. Senior Health Benefits: President José Raúl Mulino says he will sign a bill expanding discounts for retirees, including reduced costs for consultations, lab tests, cancer treatment and medical supplies. Earthquake Response: Authorities have confirmed three deaths and 27 injuries from the October quake. Church leaders are urging psychological support for children affected by the disaster, alongside rebuilding homes and schools. Disease Watch: Health authorities reported 34 malaria cases near Merca Panamá and stressed that the disease is not transmitted through food. Vision Care: A U.S. Army medical team has restored sight for hundreds of Panamanians.

Earthquake Recovery: After the recent quake, Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa urged comprehensive care for affected children, including psychological support as they cope with fear and disrupted routines. Authorities have confirmed three deaths and 27 injuries from the emergency. Housing and Care: President José Raúl Mulino says the government will rebuild homes for families who lost theirs; construction has begun in Veraguas, where outreach is also serving children and older residents. Malaria Watch: Health authorities reported 34 cases near Merca Panamá and said the outbreak is controlled. Malaria spreads through infected mosquitoes, not food; anyone with fever, chills or headache should seek medical evaluation. Retiree Benefits: Bill 746 has passed its third debate and awaits the president’s decision. It proposes discounts on medicines, consultations, lab tests, therapies and cancer treatment.

Earthquake Response: CSS has confirmed three deaths from injuries sustained in the earlier earthquake. A separate magnitude-5.9 tremor on Oct. 31 prompted evacuations across Metro stations; Android alerts reached some users before the shaking. Malaria Watch: Health authorities reported 34 cases near Merca Panamá and say malaria spreads through infected mosquitoes, not food. Surveillance, treatment and mosquito-control efforts are continuing. Retiree Health Benefits: Bill 746, now awaiting the president’s signature, would expand discounts for older adults, including on medicines, consultations, lab tests and cancer treatment.

Earthquake Response: A magnitude 5.9 tremor shook Panama on Oct. 31, prompting the Metro to evacuate stations and suspend service; Android alerts reached some users before stronger shaking. Separately, authorities confirmed three deaths and 27 injuries from the earlier earthquake emergency. Recovery and Care: President José Raúl Mulino says the government’s first phase will build 2,700 homes for families who lost theirs. Medical outreach in affected areas is serving residents, especially children and older adults. Retiree Benefits: Bill 746 passed its third debate and awaits the president’s decision. Proposed discounts include 20% on medicines, 25% on consultations and 30% on cancer treatments and supplies. Malaria Watch: Health authorities reported 34 cases near Merca Panamá and stressed that malaria spreads through infected mosquitoes, not food; surveillance, testing, treatment and mosquito control are underway.

Earthquake Aftermath: Panama’s Social Security Fund confirmed a third death linked to the earthquake, an elderly woman who had been hospitalized since Oct. 14. Health authorities say three people have now died from injuries sustained during the disaster. Malaria Alert: Authorities reported 34 cases near Merca Panamá and said surveillance, testing, treatment and mosquito-control measures are underway. They stressed malaria is spread by infected mosquitoes, not food sold at the market. Screwworm Watch: The parasite has reached Arizona, the third U.S. state reporting cases, and has been found in pets. The outbreak’s spread north from Central America follows the breakdown of a barrier once maintained near the Panama-Colombia border; officials urge vigilance, especially around animal wounds. Access to Care: Free mammograms and prostate screening tests were announced in several provinces for the weekend, while a working group is setting medicine prices in Panama.

Malaria Watch: Health authorities reported 34 malaria cases near Merca Panamá and said the response includes testing, treatment and mosquito control. They stressed malaria is spread by infected mosquitoes, not food, and described the outbreak as controlled. Medicine Costs: Panama’s medicine prices are being addressed by an established working group, according to a report this week. Screening Access: Free mammograms and prostate-specific antigen tests were scheduled in several provinces over the weekend. Eye Care: A team from Darnall Army Medical Center restored sight for hundreds of Panamanians. Public Health Coordination: Panama joined regional health officials in reviewing cooperation to strengthen essential public health functions and primary care. Water Safety: A report raised concerns about water contamination in Veraguas Province.

Mining and Health: An independent cost-benefit analysis says Cobre Panamá could impose major costs on the country, including an estimated $55.25 billion in health impacts, mainly from heavy-metal poisoning; the projected losses rise sharply in a tailings-dam failure scenario. Regional Public Health: Panama joined a PAHO network meeting focused on strengthening essential public health functions and coordinating primary care, financing and service delivery across the region. Care and Access: U.S. Army medical teams reportedly restored sight for hundreds of Panamanians, while free mammograms and PSA tests were offered in several provinces over the weekend. Medicines: Panama’s medicine prices are being set by an established working group. Psoriasis Awareness: A Panamanian woman living with psoriasis since infancy shared her experience of stigma as part of a global campaign to challenge discrimination.

Medicine Costs: Panama’s medicine prices are being set through an established working group, as affordability remains a key health concern. Eye Care: A Darnall Army Medical Center team has restored sight for hundreds of Panamanians. Preventive Screening: Free mammograms and prostate-specific antigen tests were scheduled in several provinces over the weekend. Water Safety: Reports of further water contamination in Veraguas raise concerns about potential health risks. Psoriasis Awareness: Panamanian Daniela Chapman shared how stigma around psoriasis affected her from childhood, supporting a global campaign to challenge discrimination and remind people the condition is not contagious.

Medicine Access: Panama has formed an interagency group to set common reference prices for public medicine purchases, aiming to improve 2027 tenders and address access problems in areas including Bocas del Toro. Retiree Benefits: Bill 746, which proposes discounts on medicines and other goods for retirees, pensioners and older adults, has passed its first committee reading and still needs further legislative approval. Disease Watch: Panama reports 65 influenza deaths and new Oropouche cases. Free mammograms and PSA tests are also scheduled in several provinces this weekend. Eye Care: A U.S. Army medical team and Panamanian partners performed more than 100 cataract surgeries at Hospital San Miguel Arcángel, helping patients regain vision. Climate and Health: The OAS warns a strong El Niño in 2027 could bring severe drought to parts of the Caribbean, threatening water and food security as well as public health.

Psoriasis Awareness: A global World Psoriasis Day campaign features Panamanian Daniela Chapman, who has lived with psoriasis since infancy and faced stigma at school. The campaign stresses that the condition is not contagious. Medicine Access: Panama has formed an interagency group to set common reference prices for public medicine purchases, aiming for better prices in 2027 and improved access, including in Bocas del Toro. Eye Care: A U.S. Army medical team and Panamanian colleagues performed more than 100 cataract surgeries at Hospital San Miguel Arcángel, helping patients regain vision. Senior Benefits: Bill 746, approved in its first legislative reading, proposes medicine discounts and other benefits for retirees, pensioners and older adults. Screening and Disease: Free mammograms and prostate tests were announced for several provinces, while Panama reported 65 influenza deaths and new Oropouche cases.

Medicine Access: Panama has formed an inter-agency group to set reference prices for public medicine purchases, aiming for shared pricing in 2027 tenders and better access, including in Bocas del Toro. Support for Seniors: Bill 746 cleared its first reading with proposed discounts and exemptions on medicines and other essentials; it still needs further debate and approval. Eye Care: A U.S. Army medical team and Panamanian colleagues performed more than 100 cataract surgeries at Hospital San Miguel Arcángel, helping patients regain vision. Psoriasis Awareness: Ahead of World Psoriasis Day on Oct. 29, a global campaign is highlighting stigma faced by young people; Panamanian Daniela Chapman shared her experience of living with psoriasis since infancy. Screening and Disease Watch: Free mammograms and PSA tests are scheduled in several provinces this weekend. Panama has also reported 65 influenza deaths and new Oropouche cases.

Medicine Access: Panama has formed an interagency group to set reference prices for public medicine purchases, aiming to combine Ministry of Health and Social Security Fund demand and secure better prices for 2027 tenders. Officials also flagged access problems in Bocas del Toro. Senior Benefits: Bill 746 passed its first reading with proposed discounts and other support for retirees, pensioners and older adults, including help buying medicines; it still needs further legislative approval. Vision Care: A U.S. Army medical team performed more than 100 cataract surgeries at Hospital San Miguel Arcángel, helping patients regain vision. Water Safety: Health officials detected fecal coliforms in water samples from communities in Veraguas and are checking chlorination systems and training local water-board members. Cancer Screening: The Social Security Fund offered free mammograms and PSA tests at health facilities across several provinces over the weekend.

Water Safety: Panama’s health ministry found fecal coliforms in water samples from communities in Veraguas and stepped up checks and chlorination of rural water systems. The area is also monitoring contamination after a mining-site tailings collapse. Infectious Disease: Panama reported 65 influenza deaths and new Oropouche cases, raising concerns about the country’s disease burden. Cancer Screening: The Social Security Fund offered free mammograms and prostate-specific antigen tests at health facilities across several provinces on Oct. 24 and 25 to support early detection. Earthquake Recovery: Suribeth Cortés, injured when a wall collapsed during the Oct. 9 earthquake, is breathing on her own and receiving therapy at Santo Tomás Hospital, the health ministry said.

Water Safety: Panama’s Health Ministry found fecal coliforms in water samples from communities in Veraguas and is checking rural systems, reinforcing chlorination and training local water-board members. Earthquake Recovery: Suribeth Cortés, injured when a wall collapsed during the October 9 earthquake, is breathing on her own and receiving therapy at Santo Tomás Hospital, the ministry says. Cancer Prevention: The Social Security Fund offered free mammograms and PSA tests at health facilities nationwide on October 24 and 25 to encourage early detection. Disease Watch: Panama has reported 65 influenza deaths and new Oropouche cases. Health officials also confirmed hantavirus in Los Santos and urged residents to follow official guidance.