Where to get CSS care over the holidays

Panama's social security health system, the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS), activates a nationwide green alert for the Fiestas Patrias from noon on Monday 2 November 2026, with more than 4,000 staff on duty and 64 equipped ambulances, the CSS said on 31 October. At the same time, several CSS units damaged in the 9 October earthquake are still closed or working from alternate sites, according to a CSS status update dated 1 November.

A green alert is an institutional readiness level. It reinforces emergency services and staffing. It is not a disaster declaration.

The alert in three phases (as published by the CSS)

Phase 1: from 12:00 noon Monday 2 November to 7:00 a.m. Wednesday 11 November.
Phase 2 (for 10 November): from 6:00 p.m. Monday 9 November to 7:00 a.m. Wednesday 11 November.
Phase 3 (for 28 November): from 6:00 p.m. Friday 27 November to 7:00 a.m. Monday 30 November.
Staff include doctors, nurses, emergency technicians, stretcher bearers, radiologists, pharmacists and ambulance drivers. The CSS says all facilities are stocked with supplies and equipment (CSS 31 Oct).
Emergencies: CSS line 107, or 911 for the SUME emergency service (CSS 31 Oct). CSS contact centre: 199 (CSS).

Units still closed or relocated (CSS, 1 November)

Policlínica Presidente Remón (Panama City): patients are seen at other CSS policlinics in the metropolitan region.
ULAPS Prof. Carlos Velarde (San Cristóbal): closed for a full roof replacement. Staff moved to nearby units; ask your reference unit which site you are assigned to.
CAPPS Los Pozos (Herrera): care in a climate-controlled modular hospital and at the municipal court, now also on Saturdays and Sundays (CSS 31 Oct).
ULAPS Tonosí (Los Santos): services in the CSS modular hospital next to the unit while the main building is repaired.
Policlínica Roberto Ramírez De Diego (Chitré): specialist consults in the modular structure; main building under review.
Hospital Gustavo Nelson Collado (Chitré): still treating patients; some support areas restricted.
Hospital Ezequiel Abadía (Soná): outpatient medicine, surgery, paediatrics and gynaecology in wing 2 with limited slots; inpatients in the field hospital.
Hospital Rafael Estévez (Aguadulce): emergency, haemodialysis and general outpatient care normal; specialist outpatient care moved to Policlínica Manuel de Jesús Rojas.
Policlínica Horacio Díaz Gómez (Santiago): emergency, consults and haemodialysis active; some upper-floor areas closed.
Policlínica San Juan de Dios (La Villa): normal service while the main entrance and two physiotherapy areas are repaired.

After Saturday's tremor

The CSS said inspected facilities showed no new structural damage after the magnitude 5.9 tremor on Saturday 31 October. Areas where work was under way were evacuated, and zones already under repair stay closed (CSS 31 Oct).

CSS advice for the holidays

Use emergency rooms only when needed. For appointments and check-ups, go to policlinics, ULAPS, CAPPS or the alternate sites (CSS 1 Nov).
Do not stop treatment for chronic conditions, and keep haemodialysis sessions on schedule (CSS 31 Oct and 1 Nov).
At parades: sunscreen, plenty of water, and watch children at beaches and rivers (CSS 31 Oct).
Respect the colour tags on buildings: green normal use, yellow restricted, red no entry (CSS 1 Nov).

What it means for expats

If you are CSS-insured through work or a CSS pension, note 107 and 199 now, and check whether your usual policlinic is on the relocated list before a holiday-week appointment.
Living in Panama City near Presidente Remón or in San Cristóbal: confirm your assigned alternate site by phone rather than turning up at a closed door.
Travelling to Azuero, Coclé or Veraguas over the Fiestas: several regional CSS hospitals and policlinics are running from modular or alternate spaces with limited slots, so bring your medications for the full trip.
Whatever your insurance, 911 is the general emergency number the CSS lists alongside its own 107 line.

Sources

CSS - More than 4,000 CSS staff in the Fiestas Patrias green alert - 31 Oct 2026
CSS - Facilities show no new damage after Saturday's tremor - 31 Oct 2026
CSS - Health services stay active every day despite damage at some facilities - 1 Nov 2026
TVN - CSS rules out new structural damage after Saturday tremor - 1 Nov 2026