Panama’s Social Security Fund (CSS) has placed 18 clinics and 15 hospitals on a nationwide green alert. The preventive measure addresses an expected increase in medical emergencies during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The alert period runs from midday on December 24 through the morning of January 2, 2026.
Emergency services at these facilities will operate with reinforced medical staff, medications, and surgical supplies. The state insurer aims to ensure uninterrupted care for its beneficiaries during a traditionally high-demand period. Nearly six thousand CSS workers are scheduled to cover the holidays.
“The objective is to ensure the response capacity of our emergency services during a period when demand historically increases,” said Dr. Carlos Cerrud, head of the National Department of Emergency, Disaster, and Patient Transport Management. [Translated from Spanish]
Doctors, nurses, lab technicians, pharmacists, and ambulance personnel will all be on duty. The Social Security Fund (Panama) coordinates this annual operation to manage predictable seasonal spikes.
Two-Phase Alert Targets Peak Risk Periods
The institutional green alert will deploy in two distinct phases. The first activation begins at noon on December 24 and concludes at 7 a.m. on December 26. A second phase starts at noon on December 31, extending through 7 a.m. on January 2.
This schedule directly targets the evenings and early mornings when celebrations peak. Health officials note these windows typically see the highest volume of urgent cases requiring immediate emergency medical services.
Aurora Vernaza, the national coordinator for CSS Emergency Services, outlined the common holiday injuries. She cited trauma from falls, traffic accidents, and burns from fireworks. Domestic accidents while cooking or from faulty decorative lights also contribute to the surge.
Public Advised on Holiday Health Risks
Beyond physical trauma, medical teams prepare for a rise in intoxication cases. These include complications from excessive alcohol consumption and foodborne illnesses. Vernaza issued a direct warning to the public about moderation.
“Our recommendation is moderation in the intake of alcohol and food during Christmas. Many people try to consume in excess what they did not eat during the year, which can cause poisoning. Also, when preparing food it is essential to maintain adequate hygiene measures and guarantee the cold chain,” Vernaza cautioned. [Translated from Spanish]
Her statement highlights a key public health focus for the season. Proper food handling and storage are critical to preventing outbreaks. The alert system allows the CSS to pre-position resources, ensuring hospitals are not overwhelmed.
This year’s planning also considers ongoing respiratory virus circulation. Health authorities recently confirmed three cases of AH3N2 influenza subtype K in Panama. Emergency departments are equipped to handle a mix of seasonal illnesses and holiday-related injuries.
The CSS operates one of the largest healthcare networks in the country. Its seguro social facilities provide essential care to a large portion of the population. This proactive alert demonstrates its structured approach to crisis management.
Panama’s Ministry of Health (MINSA) issued a parallel announcement. Public hospitals and health centers under its jurisdiction will also maintain 24-hour emergency staffing throughout the holidays. The coordinated effort between the two major health institutions aims for comprehensive national coverage.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to celebrate responsibly. Knowing the location of the nearest alerted facility can save critical time in an emergency. Officials stress that prevention remains the most effective tool for a safe holiday season.