Panama Health Insider
November 18, 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of the Panama Health Insider! This week, we bring you fresh updates directly affecting your well-being, finances, and mobility in the country. We cover a critical public health alert regarding dengue, the latest figures on inflation, and an important progress report on a major infrastructure project impacting traffic.
Stay informed, stay healthy, and enjoy your life in the tropics!
📰 Weekly Summary: Essential Updates
Here are the most important stories from the past week that impact the expatriate community.
-
Public Health Alert: Dengue Cases and Fatalities Rise in Panama
- Summary: As of epidemiological week 43 (late October), Panama has accumulated 13,844 dengue cases and 23 fatalities in 2025. The Ministry of Health (MINSA) is intensifying nationwide control operations, particularly in the capital, which accounts for the majority of cases.
- What This Means for You: Action is required. Dengue is a persistent, non-COVID health risk. Ensure your property is free of standing water where mosquitoes breed, and use repellent, especially during daylight hours. This is a crucial, year-round personal and community health measure.
- Source: Destinopanama.com.pa
-
Panama's Inflation Falls by 0.02% in October
- Summary: Panama recorded a slight deflation of -0.02% in October, driven by price decreases in sectors like restaurants/lodging, household furnishings, clothing, and health services. This marks a continued trend of low or negative inflation figures for the year.
- What This Means for You: Economic Stability and Price Control. While the change is negligible for individual savings, the figure is highly important as it signals Panama's economic stability and its ability to keep prices tightly controlled. This contrasts with high inflation rates seen globally and reinforces the financial predictability of living in Panama.
- Source: Laestrella.com.pa
-
Metro Line 3 Project Reaches a Significant Phase
- Summary: The construction of Panama Metro Line 3 has entered a new phase of installing the double-track rail on the viaduct. This major $2.8 billion project is progressing, with key structural elements now visible in Panamá Oeste, which will connect this growing province with Panama City.
- What This Means for You (The Expat): Traffic and mobility impact. If you live, work, or frequently drive through Panamá Oeste (Arraiján, La Chorrera), expect continued traffic adjustments and lane closures. However, the long-term benefit is vastly improved public transport access to the city center, which could increase property values and ease daily commutes in the future.
- Source: Elmetrodepanama.com/linea-3/
🔬 Spotlight Analysis – Deep Dive
Consumer Alert: ACODECO's Latest Report on Price Monitoring of Essential Goods
If you live in Panama or are considering moving and want to know about the cost increase of the Basic Food Basket in 2025, this information is for you.
In the country, the Consumer Protection and Competition Defense Authority (ACODECO) is the entity responsible for monitoring and publishing reference prices to protect the consumer's wallet.
Beyond the costs of housing and entertainment, the key metric for measuring daily expenditure is the Cost of the Basic Food Basket (CBF). Recent reports indicate that inflation has pushed this essential expense above $300 USD monthly for an average family.
We invite you to read the full analysis on our website to see the specific price comparisons and recommendations for making your budget go further in Panama.
Click here to read the full 'Spotlight Analysis'
Thank you for reading this week's Panama Health Insider. We are committed to bringing you the most relevant news to navigate your life in Panama.
You can always review past editions and more valuable resources on our website: https://newsletter.panamalifehub.com/
|