Review each healthcare facility by region below. Book your medical appointments here.

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Hospital Chiriquí'

Hospital Chiriquí, a leading private hospital in western Panama, was established in July 1988 by the Chiriquí Hospital Society, founded in 1986 with support from prominent Panamanian business leaders. From the start, it was envisioned as a modern, high-quality facility that would elevate healthcare standards in the region. Built on a 12,500 m² footprint, the hospital was designed to offer a complete range of medical services within a contemporary infrastructure. It employs over 300 physicians and, by various reports, accommodates around 120 beds and 25 specialties, including general and intensive care. A major expansion completed in 2016 further strengthened its capacity with 88 additional doctors’ offices, nine new clinics, and two outpatient surgical centers.

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The hospital delivers an extensive range of medical services, supported by advanced technologies and modern facilities. Core capabilities include 24/7 emergency care, intensive care and neonatology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, urology, ENT, thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, plastic and dental surgery, pediatrics, and internal medicine. Specialized services extend to cardiology with hemodynamics and angiography labs, advanced imaging and radiology (MRI, CT, digital mammography, ultrasound, and dental imaging), as well as laboratory, hemodialysis, and pharmacy services. Amenities such as a cafeteria and chapel add to patient and family support.

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​Renowned for its modern infrastructure, highly qualified staff, and emphasis on technological innovation, Hospital Chiriquí has earned recognition and accreditation from international bodies including the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH). Its reputation for ethical, patient-centered care and its comprehensive service offerings make it one of the most advanced private hospitals in western Panama.​​

 

​​​Hospital Centro Médico Mae Lewis

Hospital Centro Médico Mae Lewis (CMML), located along the Inter-American Highway in David, Chiriquí, opened in 1993 but traces its origins to a legacy left by American pioneers Glen and Mae Lewis in the early 1960s. They donated land and seed funding in 1961 with the vision of creating a lasting medical facility for the community. Although construction faced interruptions in the late 1980s, the project resumed in 1991 with financial backing from Banco General, culminating in the hospital’s inauguration two years later. Since then, CMML has grown into one of the most recognized private healthcare institutions in western Panama, built on a mission of modern, high-quality, patient-centered care.

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The hospital provides an extensive range of medical and surgical services across both general and highly specialized fields. Core specialties include general surgery, internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, psychiatry and psychology, neurology and neurosurgery, radiology, cardiology, pulmonology, coloproctology, and pain management and palliative care. Its surgical and specialized offerings expand further into plastic, vascular, and bariatric surgery, interventional radiology, dental care, neonatology, geriatrics, hemodialysis, pathology, and sports medicine.

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​​​​​​​​These services are supported by modern operating rooms, an emergency department, pharmacy, laboratory, and advanced imaging units, ensuring comprehensive care under one roof. In addition to serving the local population, Hospital Mae Lewis has strengthened its international presence through a 2025 alliance with Amexcare, enabling direct billing with select U.S., Canadian, and European insurance providers, including Medicare Advantage. This partnership allows eligible international patients to receive care without upfront payments, reflecting the hospital’s growing role in medical tourism and cross-border healthcare. Accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), CMML underscores its commitment to meeting global standards of quality, safety, and operational excellence, while its reputation for reliable pediatric and general care continues to reinforce its importance in the Chiriquí region.

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Hospital Dr. Gustavo Nelson Collado 

Operated by the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS), this public hospital is the primary healthcare hub for Herrera Province, while also serving Los Santos, Veraguas, and parts of Panamá Oeste. Covering around 85,000 inhabitants, it is positioned to become one of Panama’s first JCI-accredited public hospitals, reflecting its regional importance. Opened in 2010 with a $35 million investment, the facility was built to serve more than 216,000 people and today employs over 1,200 staff members.

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The hospital features about 150 patient beds—including 6 ICU beds, 2 isolation rooms, and 4 coronary care rooms—with capacity designed for 215 and future provisions for 65 more. An expansion approved in 2018 added a third level of 2,100 m², creating new spaces for internal medicine, hospitalization, and critical care, supported by four elevators to improve access. Its clinical services span pediatrics, orthopedics, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, urology, otolaryngology, maxillofacial surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, and 24-hour emergency care.

 

Recognized as a pioneer in endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures, the hospital continues to expand surgical capacity—most recently with the 2025 reopening of an operating room dedicated to low-complexity and outpatient surgeries to reduce backlogs. Its laboratory, which processed more than 746,000 tests for over 100,000 patients in 2019, provides 24-hour support for urgent and inpatient care. Backed by a CSS initiative to maintain six months of medical supply reserves, the hospital ensures continuity of care while positioning itself as a modern and reliable center for both general and specialized services in central Panama.

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 ​​​​​​​​Hospital Dr. Cecilio A. Castillero

Hospital Dr. Cecilio A. Castillero, a public Level II hospital operated by the Ministry of Health (MINSA), serves as the primary healthcare provider for Herrera Province while also supporting nearby Los Santos and Veraguas. With about 135 patient beds, it manages roughly 85 births per month, supported by a full maternity ward for labor, delivery, postpartum, and neonatal care. Beyond maternal health, services include pediatric dentistry, cancer screenings, general surgery, internal medicine, and pediatrics, though advanced specialties such as cardiology, nephrology, and oncology are referred to higher-level hospitals like Santo Tomás in Panama City.

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Despite its importance as a regional hub in Chitré, the hospital faces persistent infrastructure challenges. Deficiencies include malfunctioning air conditioning that has suspended elective surgeries, inadequate CAT (CT) scanning equipment, cramped pharmacies and patient areas, and general overcrowding with poorly maintained facilities. These issues have affected surgical capacity and strained service delivery, highlighting the urgent need for modernization.

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To address these gaps, MINSA launched improvement plans in 2025 focused on repairing climate control systems, expanding the emergency department, building proper storage facilities, and carrying out general upgrades such as roofing, waterproofing, and sanitary improvements across the province. Alongside these structural efforts, the hospital continues to integrate with the community through preventive health programs, including vaccination campaigns, cancer screenings, and breastfeeding promotion—underscoring its dual role as both a care provider and a center for public health initiatives.

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Clínica Dr. Venancio Villarreal

Clínica Dr. Venancio Villarreal, founded on July 21, 1986 under the corporate name Servicios Médicos de Azuero S.A., has provided nearly four decades of continuous private healthcare service in the Azuero region. Located on Avenida Carmelo Spadafora in Chitré, it is a well-established medical institution recognized for its comprehensive facilities, which include a 24-hour emergency room, intensive care unit (ICU), hospitalization wards, outpatient consultation areas, operating rooms, an in-house pharmacy, optical services, a clinical laboratory, diagnostic imaging (X-rays and ultrasound), and a private ambulance service.

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The clinic offers key specialties in anesthesiology, gynecology and obstetrics, and pediatrics, supported by immediate access to an on-site pharmacy for patient convenience. Although it does not fall within the Level I–III classification used for public hospitals, its capabilities—particularly in emergency, inpatient, diagnostic, and outpatient care—are comparable to those of a mid-level (Level II) facility, making it an important private healthcare provider in the region.

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Over the years, Clínica Dr. Venancio Villarreal has earned a strong reputation for quality care and personalized service, attracting patients from across the Azuero region. Its commitment to patient-centered care, combined with modern diagnostic and treatment facilities, positions the clinic as a trusted institution for both routine medical needs and more specialized healthcare services.

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Hospital Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid  

CHDr. AAM is one of Panama’s largest public hospitals, operated by the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) and classified as a Level III (tertiary) facility, representing the highest level of public healthcare complexity in the country. The hospital complex functions as a healthcare hub, comprising a Hospital General, a Policlínica Especializada, and central support facilities, with approximately 942 beds—up from 256 at its founding in 1962. Daily demand is high, with 1,000–1,500 patients receiving outpatient care, diagnostics, and emergency services, and occupancy averaging around 85%.

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The hospital is a national leader in advanced clinical services, particularly organ transplantation, with 788 renal transplants since 1990, 62 hepatic transplants since 2011, and three cardiac transplants since 2016. It performs 50–90 elective surgeries per day across 26 operating rooms and offers more than 36 outpatient specialties, including gastroenterology, geriatrics, endocrinology, maxillofacial surgery, and pain management. Core services span general medicine, surgery, OB/GYN, diagnostics, radiology, hemodialysis, and other specialized care, reflecting its role as a central tertiary provider.

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A digital and infrastructure renovation plan is underway, targeting emergency area upgrades, improved climate control, and enhanced radiologic and surgical equipment, with psychiatry and hemodialysis renovations expected by year-end. Looking ahead, CHDr. AAM is set to transition into a geriatric-focused center, incorporating a 250-bed geriatrics facility, a day hospital for outpatient and wound care, and a second- and third-level general hospital, with referral pathways to specialized fourth-level care at the newly launched Ciudad de la Salud.

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Hospital Punta Pacífica

Hospital Punta Pacífica, now rebranded as Pacífica Salud, opened in 2006 in Panama City’s upscale Punta Pacífica district with a focus on international standards of excellence. It maintains a distinguished affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, collaborating on clinical program design, patient safety initiatives, and staff training. The hospital holds Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, ISO certifications for laboratory and imaging services, and a certified Stroke Program—the first of its kind in Central America.

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The modern, multi-floor facility features 51 private rooms, 11 suites, and a presidential suite, along with 8 ICU rooms, 3 semi-ICU rooms, and advanced monitoring and computerized systems. Operating suites are equipped for outpatient, orthopedic, cardiac, thoracic, bariatric, laparoscopic, and aesthetic surgeries. Its maternity and neonatology units include labor and delivery wards, neonatal ICU beds, modern incubators, recovery rooms, and a dedicated breastfeeding space. Support services include a full-service pharmacy, clinical laboratory, blood bank, and radiology, including CT scans.

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Pacífica Salud operates with nearly 285 credentialed physicians, many trained in the U.S. or Europe, offering a comprehensive range of specialties. These include cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, general and plastic surgery, bariatric surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, endocrinology, gastroenterology, urology, fertility, dermatology, pulmonology, and rehabilitation. The hospital also houses a Cardiovascular Center and was the first in Panama to launch a pediatric emergency department with Johns Hopkins support, underscoring its role as a leader in both local and international patient care.

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Hospital Nacional

Hospital Nacional began as Clínica Nacional on July 9, 1973, a small women’s clinic offering obstetrics and gynecology services with just 10 beds, an operating room, delivery suite, and newborn unit. It expanded over the years, relocating in 1980, launching Centro Médico Nacional in 1994 with over 100 specialists, and evolving into the modern Hospital Nacional in 1998 on Avenida Cuba, now providing comprehensive care for both local and international patients.

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The hospital features around 80 beds, including private, semi-private, and VIP suites, with adult and pediatric ICUs (8 and 5 beds, respectively) and a neonatal ICU supporting about 7 newborns, plus 30 cribs and 9 incubators. Its facilities support all major specialties and surgeries 24/7, offering advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services such as radiology (MRI, CT, X-ray, nuclear medicine), laboratory testing, blood bank, pathology, endoscopy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, cardiology diagnostics, physical therapy, and hemodialysis.

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Hospital Nacional is renowned for cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, general surgery, OB/GYN, and pediatrics, and was among the first in Panama to use Da Vinci robotic surgery systems. It also houses specialized centers like CIRRO (oncologic radiotherapy) and CEDITER (hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery), and operates under high standards with ISO-15189 certified laboratories. Managed by the American Hospital Management Company, the hospital maintains affiliations with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Kendall Medical Center (Florida), and facilitates care for international patients through its dedicated International Insurance Department for providers such as TRICARE and the U.S. Veterans Affairs’ Foreign Medical Program.

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Hospital Paitilla

Hospital Paitilla, originally founded in July 1975 as Centro Médico Paitilla, has been a cornerstone of private healthcare in Panama City, offering modern medical standards and patient care. In February 2018, it was acquired by the Spanish Hospiten Group, reinforcing its commitment to excellence and innovation. The hospital officially rebranded in late 2019, launching digital and technological transformations including SAP systems, electronic grids, and an online patient portal for imaging and lab results.

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The hospital’s infrastructure spans approximately 15,000 m², staffed by around 650 personnel, including 300 specialist doctors. It offers over 100 inpatient rooms, a 14-bed ICU, a maternity/gynecology wing with a neonatal ICU, and four operating rooms for general, ambulatory, and minimally invasive surgeries. Advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services include radiology (3T MRI, 64-slice CT, digital radiography, fluoroscopy, mammography, bone densitometry), nuclear medicine, cardiovascular hemodynamics, and an oncology center with chemotherapy and external radiotherapy using a Varian linear accelerator. Support services include a 24/7 emergency department, clinical laboratory, blood bank, endoscopy, and an integrated physician portal system.

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Hospital Paitilla has undertaken a $17 million renovation plan, expanding the adult emergency department, establishing Panama’s first dedicated pediatric emergency room, modernizing the lobby, cafeteria, and physiotherapy areas, and updating the façade while maintaining architectural integrity. It holds prestigious certifications, including ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management—the first private hospital in Panama), and the EFQM 500+ European Excellence seal. Its specialties cover cardiology, oncology, general and specialized surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, internal medicine, orthopedics, urology, gastroenterology, neurology, emergency medicine, and intensive care.

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Complejo Hospitalario

Complejo Hospitalario Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid (CHDr. AAM) is one of Panama’s largest public hospitals, operated by the Caja de Seguro Social (CSS) and classified as a Level III facility, the highest level of public healthcare in the country. Functioning as a medical metropolis, it includes a Hospital General, a Policlínica Especializada, and central facilities. With nearly 942 beds and an occupancy rate around 85%, it serves thousands of patients through inpatient care, outpatient visits, diagnostics, and emergencies, far surpassing its original 256-bed capacity in 1962.

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The hospital is a national leader in advanced clinical services, particularly organ transplants. Since 1990, it has performed over 788 kidney transplants, 62 liver transplants since 2011, and Panama’s first heart transplants beginning in 2016. On average, CHDr. AAM carries out 50–90 elective surgeries daily across 26 operating rooms. It offers more than 36 outpatient specialties, including gastroenterology, geriatrics, endocrinology, maxillofacial surgery, neurology, and pain management, supported by extensive diagnostic imaging, radiology, and hemodialysis services.

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Ongoing upgrades aim to modernize the hospital, including emergency area refurbishment, air conditioning improvements, installation of advanced radiologic systems, and renovations in psychiatry and hemodialysis units. Looking ahead, with the development of Ciudad de la Salud, CHDr. AAM will transition into a geriatric-focused center featuring a 250-bed geriatrics unit, a day hospital for outpatient treatments, and continued second- and third-level general services with referrals to specialized fourth-level care at the new complex.

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El Salto Health Center

The El Salto Health Center, inaugurated in October 2022, was created to deliver consistent primary care to a remote Indigenous region of Panama that previously had almost no local medical options. Funded at approximately $900,000 through the U.S. Southern Command’s Humanitarian Assistance Program and formally donated to Panama’s Ministry of Health (MINSA), the project represents a tangible expression of bilateral cooperation.

 

The facility includes an emergency area, general consultation rooms, dental and nursing offices, a pharmacy, and a sterilization unit, supported by reception and administrative spaces. Its opening ceremony, attended by Panama’s Health Minister and the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, marked a symbolic milestone in strengthening healthcare access for underserved populations.

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Serving an estimated 2,600 residents of El Salto and surrounding communities, the center has quickly become a lifeline by reducing the need for long, difficult journeys to distant hospitals. It now provides medical, dental, and pharmaceutical services under one roof, while also supporting preventive care, maternal and child health, vaccination programs, and basic emergency response. For families in this rural area, the health center improves both health outcomes and quality of life by ensuring that timely care is finally within reach. More than a clinic, El Salto Health Center stands as a model of targeted international collaboration, linking local needs with global support to create lasting benefits for one of Panama’s most isolated regions.

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