Panama’s Ministry of Health has issued a public alert over a severe shortage in the national blood supply. Health officials confirmed this week that reserves have fallen below a critical 40 percent threshold, jeopardizing emergency medical care across the country. The crisis is most acute for universal O negative blood, a type essential for trauma cases.
Yelkis Gill, the General Director of Public Health for the Ministry of Health (Panama), stated the low reserves directly compromise the healthcare system’s ability to respond to accidents, urgent surgeries, and unforeseen complications. The warning comes ahead of holidays and mass events, periods historically linked to increased traffic accidents and traumatic emergencies. Panama’s network includes 38 blood service facilities across public and private hospitals.
Officials Warn of Immediate Patient Risks
Major third-level hospitals, including the Santo Tomas Hospital and the National Oncology Institute, face the greatest pressure. Their daily demand can range between 30 and 40 units of red blood cells alone. A single critically injured patient might require a massive blood transfusion protocol, depleting a hospital’s reserves in mere hours.
“We are having difficulties covering the demand for patients who require transfusions immediately,” said Erika Zhong, head of the Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine department at the Ministry of Health (Panama). [Translated from Spanish] “Many of them were healthy people who, due to an accident or a sudden complication, need blood to survive.”
Zhong explained the system suffers from an over-reliance on replacement donation, where families scramble to find donors only after blood has already been used for a patient. This reactive model creates dangerous delays. Officials are now pleading for proactive, voluntary donations to build reserves before emergencies occur.
Myths and New Campaigns
Authorities aim to dispel common myths that deter potential donors. Individuals with controlled hypertension, diabetes, or obesity may still be eligible. People with tattoos can donate if at least six months have passed since their last procedure. The public is encouraged to visit donation centers for a professional medical evaluation.
The Ministry of Health announced plans for new campaigns and donation centers to increase public access. “Blood is not manufactured or substituted,” the Ministry emphasized in its statement. [Translated from Spanish] “It is only obtained through the solidarity of the population.” With every unit vital, a donation today could save a life tomorrow.