Panamá Emerges as a Medical Tourism Hub with the Ciudad de la Salud

By Maria Carrasco Lloria

Panamá is cementing its status as a leader in the medical tourism sector, leveraging its strategic position in Central America and an advanced healthcare infrastructure. The Ciudad de la Salud, part of the Caja del Seguro Social (CSS), opened its doors in January 2023 after a substantial investment of $1 billion, making it the most significant public health project in Panama over the past century.

Ciudad de la Salud: A Comprehensive Healthcare Complex

The Ciudad de la Salud encompasses an extensive 32 hectares on the outskirts of Panama City, featuring four hospitals, five specialized institutes, nearly 1,400 beds, 256 intensive care unit (ICU) spaces, 51 operating rooms, and 313 consulting offices. The sheer scale and modernity of this facility position it as an international medical center and a pioneering hub for health tourism in the region.

Dr. Enrique Lau Cortés, the general director of CSS, highlighted the importance of this project, noting that the Ciudad de la Salud hosted the first robotic surgery in a public hospital. This groundbreaking achievement underscores Panama’s aspiration to become a leader in healthcare innovation and a destination for medical tourists from across Central America.

Competing in the Medical Tourism Market

The infrastructure at the Ciudad de la Salud allows Panama to compete with established medical tourism centers in other countries such as Colombia, Venezuela, and Cuba, particularly in terms of affordability. Dr. Lau Cortés emphasized the potential for Panama to strengthen its position as a mainstay in medical tourism, taking advantage of its well-connected international airport, which serves as a gateway for Central America.

“Our primary objective is to ensure that Panama becomes the leading hub for medical tourism, thanks to our strategic aerial connectivity,” stated Dr. Lau Cortés. The convenience of traveling to Panama represents a significant advantage for prospective medical tourists, boosting the CSS’s ambitions and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

A Vision for Pharmaceutical and Research Development

In addition to its medical tourism aspirations, Panama is also aiming to develop a robust pharmaceutical hub. The goal is to address the prevalent issue of medication shortages in the country while also tackling the challenges of high drug prices.

Plans are underway to establish a special economic zone aimed at attracting international pharmaceutical companies for production and export of medications. Dr. Lau Cortés explained that the Free Trade Agreement offers a framework for these companies to operate more freely within the Panamanian healthcare landscape.

Moreover, CSS is determined to position Panama as a key player in medical research. Establishing research initiatives is a vital part of CMS’s strategy to develop the medical tourism sector further, potentially positioning the country as a primary center for medical innovation and research in the region.

Conclusion

As Panama embarks on this transformative journey, the Ciudad de la Salud represents not only a monumental investment in public health but also a strategic initiative to elevate the country’s profile in global medical tourism. With its modern facilities and commitment to health innovations, Panama is poised to become a pivotal hub for medical and pharmaceutical advancement in Central America.