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Tents, transfers and one visitor per patient at quake-hit hospitals

Most of Panama's health facilities kept working after the 9 October earthquake, but several hospitals in the central provinces are treating patients outdoors while engineers check their buildings. In a statement on Sunday 11 October, the Health Ministry (MINSA) said four hospitals were caring for patients in tents, and that services at Ocú hospital moved to the local MINSA-CAPSI as a precaution. No quake deaths had been reported as of Sunday 11 October.

Hospitals to watch (MINSA, as of Sunday 11 Oct)

  • Joaquín Pablo Franco Sayas (Las Tablas): minor damage, awaiting evaluation.
  • Aquilino Tejeira (Penonomé): minor damage, awaiting the engineering report.
  • Cecilio A. Castillero (Chitré): awaiting evaluation. Staff cared for newborns outside, including in a mobile barbershop with air conditioning (Infobae, 11 Oct).
  • Sergio Núñez Núñez (Ocú): operations moved to the local Minsa CAPSI on Saturday 10 Oct after structural damage.
  • Rural hospital of Tonosí: structural damage. Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo announced a new hospital for the district, estimated at $30 million with an 18-month build, pending Contraloría approval of the contract. The minister said the building can no longer be used; tents, one air-conditioned for children and pregnant women, are being set up (Panamá América, 10 Oct).
  • Luis "Chicho" Fábrega (Santiago): certified safe by the Technological University (UTP); normal services resuming inside.
  • Modular hospitals are being brought in from other regions (MINSA).

CSS rules right now

  • Only one companion per patient in hospitals where Sinaproc has allowed patients to stay or return, and no more than one relative per hospitalised patient at visiting time. The aim is to keep corridors clear for a fast evacuation (CSS, 10 Oct).
  • Hemodialysis: every patient will be treated, but times shifted. Several units added extra shifts for Sunday 11 Oct (CSS, 10 Oct). The Soná unit is closed; patients are being taken to Gustavo Nelson Collado hospital in Chitré. Units are calling patients with new times (CSS).

What it means for expats

  • Living in Pedasí, Las Tablas, Chitré or Penonomé? Call before going for a non-urgent appointment, and expect elective surgery delays while checks continue.
  • Visiting someone in hospital: go alone. Bring ID and water; outdoor waiting areas are hot.
  • On dialysis or other recurring treatment, keep your phone on and answer unknown numbers. Your unit should call with the new schedule. CSS contact centre: 199.
  • Emergencies: 911.

Sources

  • MINSA - Statement 3: four hospitals in tents, Ocú services moved to CAPSI, new $30M Tonosí hospital - 11 Oct 2026
  • MINSA - Statement 2: Sergio Núñez Núñez hospital operations moved to Minsa CAPSI Ocú - 10 Oct 2026
  • Panamá América - Tonosí hospital building unusable, tents being set up - 10 Oct 2026
  • CSS - One companion per patient under the state of emergency - 10 Oct 2026
  • CSS - Hemodialysis continues with new schedules, Soná patients to Chitré - 10 Oct 2026
  • Panamá América - MINSA counts 17 affected facilities in first report - 9 Oct 2026
  • Infobae - Newborns cared for outside Chitré hospital - 11 Oct 2026