Panama boosts hospital readiness amid global measles alert

Panama's Ministry of Health (Minsa) has launched a national hospital preparedness plan to swiftly address any imported measles cases. This proactive measure follows a global surge in measles infections and the constant international travel.

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The plan includes reviewing the response capabilities of the public hospital network, as well as adapting spaces for the isolation of suspected patients and strengthening epidemiological surveillance systems.

The plan involves a thorough review of the public hospital network's response capabilities. Authorities are also adapting spaces for isolating suspected patients and bolstering epidemiological surveillance systems. Dr. Humberto Vanegas of Minsa's Health Services Provision Directorate stated that hospital infrastructure was recently assessed with hospital directors and regional authorities to ensure medical centers have necessary resources.

Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic are guiding the organization of response protocols. Key actions include setting up safe isolation areas for patients with measles-like symptoms to minimize transmission risks within healthcare facilities. Triage processes in emergency services are also being enhanced to quickly identify travelers with recent symptoms.

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The experience acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic has served as a reference for the organization of protocols and response mechanisms that are currently being reinforced in the health system.

Training for medical staff is underway, focusing on updated care protocols, biosecurity, and managing suspected cases. While authorities maintain the situation is under control, hospitals are actively preparing for potential imported cases. Panama has confirmed three measles cases in 2026. Globally, 184,489 cases were reported in 155 countries from January to mid-May 2026. Minsa urges the public to verify and complete their vaccination schedules, emphasizing immunization as the primary prevention tool.

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Although authorities maintain that the situation remains under control in the country, hospitals remain in active preparation phase for the possibility of new imported cases being registered.