Panama Health Insider - Weekly Edition
October 28, 2025
A Note from the Editor
Welcome to your essential weekly edition of the "Panama Health Insider." This week, we highlight a key story for logistics and the economy that affects your daily life: the Panama Canal draft restrictions and the crucial Rio Indio mitigation plan. Furthermore, focusing on your interests, our main news centers on the important month of November ahead and how it impacts your routine.
Weekly Summary: Stay Informed, Stay Healthy
1. Daily Life Alert: What Expats Need to Know About the November National Holidays
- The News: November, known as Panama’s "Month of the Homeland" (Mes de la Patria), is fast approaching and includes multiple national holidays. The official calendar of non-working days includes November 3 (Separation from Colombia), November 4 (Flag Day), November 5 (Colón Day), and November 28 (Independence from Spain).
- What This Means for You (The Expat): Public services, banks, and many government offices will be closed on these dates. This will affect immigration procedures, licensing, and any bureaucratic process. Advanced planning is crucial. Although commerce and restaurants will remain open, especially in tourist areas, city life in the capital may experience a slower pace, with large parades and temporary street closures in Casco Viejo and the Cinta Costera.
2. Critical News: Panama Canal Announces Vessel Draft Restrictions Due to El Niño Effects
- The News: The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) continues to maintain draft restrictions for the largest ships due to low water levels in Gatún Lake, the main water source. The measure is a direct response to the El Niño phenomenon, which has caused a severe decrease in precipitation in the watershed, affecting the amount of fresh water necessary to operate the locks.
- Solution and Dialogue: Given the Canal's vulnerability to drought, the ACP is promoting the Río Indio Reservoir project to create an additional water reserve. However, the project involves the relocation of area residents, which has triggered protests. The ACP is currently in discussions with affected communities to find fair and transparent compensation and resettlement agreements before commencing construction.
- What This Means for You (The Expat): While small-scale air freight e-commerce is unaffected, restrictions on the transit of large container ships impact the global flow of goods. The uncertainty over the Canal’s ability to secure water long-term and the Río Indio controversy are critical points that the country must resolve to ensure its economic and water stability.
- Source Link: Pancanal.com/
3. Environmental Development: Panama Hosts the General Assembly of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
- The News: Panama City is hosting the 2025 General Assembly of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the highest decision-making platform for responsible global forest management. The event, held from October 26 to 31, brings together thousands of experts and leaders from the environmental, social, and economic sectors worldwide.
- What This Means for You (The Expat): Hosting an international congress of this magnitude reinforces Panama’s position as a sustainability and conservation hub in the region. This global visibility showcases the country’s biodiversity and attracts experts and investors interested in the green economy, which is particularly relevant for investors, environmentalists, or anyone interested in the ecological future of their country of residence.
- Source Link: https://ga.fsc.org/en
Offers & Promotions
MiniMed Radiology Promotions
All locations are in Panama City.
-
X-Rays, Ultrasound (USG), and Mammography
- 20% OFF
- Available at the Vía España Branch.
- Valid only during PM hours: from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- 35% OFF
- Available at MiniMed Hospital.
- Valid from November 1st to 30th.
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Ultrasounds
- 20% OFF
- Available at the Mañanitas and Los Andes Branches.
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Computed Tomography (CT/CAT Scan)
- 20% OFF
- Available at the Vía España Branch and MiniMed Hospital.
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Laboratory Tests, Pap Smears, and Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- 20% OFF
- Available at the Fernández de Córdoba Branch.
Important Note: These promotions are not valid with other promotions or discounts.
Spotlight Analysis – Deep Dive
Navigating the Real Estate Market: A Comparison of Life in Panama City vs. Boquete
Panama offers a diversity of lifestyles, from the vibrant urban pace of Panama City to the cool tranquility of the highlands. If you are considering moving or changing your current environment, it is crucial to understand the differences between these two worlds.
Is it worth leaving the cosmopolitan and tropical atmosphere of the capital for the cool climate, community life, and opportunities of Boquete?
In our full article, we analyze in detail the pros and cons of urban life in the capital versus the charm and growing popularity of Boquete, in the Chiriquí province. We explore the cost of living, the expat community, and the differences in amenities that each location offers.
Click here to read the full article and determine which lifestyle best aligns with your goals:
👉 [Article Link: PanamaLifeHub.com/]
Closing Note
Thank you for reading this week's edition of the Panama Health Insider. Our commitment is to provide you with the most relevant and credible news to enhance your life in Panama.
Missed an edition? You can always consult the archives for health, economy, and lifestyle updates by visiting our website:
Read Previous Editions Here: https://newsletter.panamalifehub.com/
Until next week, stay safe and connected.
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