Bugaba Oncology Unit advances 43%, set for late 2026 delivery

Construction of the new Oncology Unit at Bugaba Hospital has reached 43% completion, with its delivery projected for the end of 2026. This facility will enable cancer patients from Chiriquí and surrounding provinces to access radiotherapy and nuclear medicine services without needing to travel to the capital.

President José Raúl Mulino led an inspection of the ongoing work at the Hospital José Félix Espinoza's new Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Unit in Bugaba. The project, situated on nearly two hectares adjacent to the existing hospital, is expected to be finished by year's end. Accompanied by the Minister of Health and other cabinet members, the president observed the progress.

The unit is designed to accommodate 45 patients simultaneously for radiotherapy and nuclear medicine treatments. Its infrastructure includes essential technical facilities such as an electrical room, pump room, backup generator, chiller area, potable water tank, and specialized waste disposal areas. The project is also a significant economic driver for Chiriquí, currently generating 287 direct and indirect jobs.

This new facility will complement the services already offered by the Hospital José Félix Espinoza, which was inaugurated in November 2025 and includes a chemotherapy room with 15 treatment chairs. The Bugaba unit is a key component of the National Integrated Cancer Care Project, a government initiative involving the Ministry of Health, the Social Security Fund, and the National Oncology Institute, with support from the private sector and international organizations. The national oncology network also includes plans for a Cancer Institute in the City of Health and expanded services in other regional hospitals.