Panama’s Health Care System boosts Tourism

Good health care is among the many reasons Panama has become a top destination to retire. Panama offers low cost public, and private healthcare as well as many well-trained bilingual medical professionals in populated areas like Coronado, Panama City and David and Boquete. Today, Panama’s health care system is not only benefiting residents, it is also working efficiently for tourists.   In 2011 Panama’s Tourism Authority (ATP), administered a program that would grant all tourists entering through Tocumen airport, 30-day emergency medical insurance. The policy was in an effort to encourage tourism and transparency into their health care system. “Those who take advantage of the health services in the country will see that Panama is an ideal place for medical tourism with highly trained physicians and hospitals.” Said the Minister of Tourism of Panama and Director of the ATP, Solomon Shamah. Last year, a 71 year-old Canadian citizen, visiting Coronado, slipped and hit her head. Bleeding, she was taken to the San Fernando Clinic in Coronado. 

Diana showed her passport and was admitted to emergency without charge. After examination, the clinic transferred her to the San Fernando hospital in Panama City for additional tests.

There was no charge for admittance to the hospital or for the tests that were administered there. However, to be transferred from Coronado by ambulance a private company was used at a cost of $500 - a charge that could be recovered by her Canadian travel insurance.

Once admitted , a doctor saw Diana immediately. She received an MRI and several X-rays within hours and was released with a clean bill of health later that day. “ They gave us the test results so that we could show it to the doctor back home”, said Diana’s daughter, Marylou.

The family described the doctors and nurses at the facilities as “kind, caring and willing to take extra precautions”. They were impressed with the level of care Diana received. “At one point the doctor called in a specialist, just to have a second opinion”. 

Once back in Canada, Diana received a follow up call from ATP.  She was surveyed on the quality of care she received. “I was so impressed that they cared enough to call.”  

Knowing that there is recourse for tourists in emergency medical situations, gives Panama a tourism edge over other destinations.

In January of 2014 while on vacation in Mexico, a Canadian women fell from the 3rd floor balcony of the five-star resort. Bleeding and in a lot of pain, the woman was rushed to the hospital but not admitted. Even though she carried travel medical insurance, she was informed she would need to pay $2,500 in cash before treatment could be administered.  Money she did not have on hand and could not get from a bank machine. When she found a facility that would treat her, she wasn’t given any pain-killers or antibiotics.  

In contrast Panama’s 30-day emergency medical coverage and overall good service in the medical field, is creating experiences that will keep people coming back. In fact some people plan trips for elective medical, such as dental.

“I came to Panama with the intention of getting my teeth fixed. For what I would have paid for the procedure in Canada, I got to travel to Panama, enjoy some ‘cervesas’ in the sun and got good quality dental work from an English speaking doctor”, said Mike, a visitor from Ontario.

Medical tourism is a good option for those who do not have medical coverage in their home country. However with excellent service and good rates, many feel it’s worth the trip to Panama for medical regardless.

Canadians and Americans often complain of having to face long wait times, and for an appointment with a specialist. Here in Panama, appointments with some of the best medical professionals in the country are often available with less then a weeks wait for $60 - $100.