Panama’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a continued national decrease in tuberculosis incidence and mortality. Official data shows the rate fell from 47.7 cases per 100,000 people in 2024 to 44.7 per 100,000 in 2025.
The total number of reported cases dropped from 2,156 to 2,044 during that period. Deaths attributed to the disease also saw a significant reduction, declining from 267 fatalities in 2024 to 181 the following year.
Health Officials Credit Surveillance and Early Detection
Edwin Aizpurua, head of the Tuberculosis Control Section at the Ministry of Health, linked the positive trend to improved public health strategies. He emphasized the role of ongoing diagnostic testing for at-risk populations and stronger patient follow-up systems.
“This reduction reflects advances in epidemiological surveillance strategies,” Aizpurua said. [Translated from Spanish] “These include the permanent application of diagnostic tests for people with risk factors, aiming to achieve a timely diagnosis and reduce disease transmission.”
The early detection of cases is considered a critical factor in preventing community spread. Officials urge anyone with a persistent cough lasting more than 15 days, fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss to seek immediate medical evaluation.
High Incidence Regions Remain a Challenge
Despite the national decline, several regions continue to report alarmingly high infection rates. The Ministry of Health identified Bocas del Toro, Panama Este, and the Guna Yala region as areas of particular concern.
These regions have incidence rates exceeding 130 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, more than triple the national average. Aizpurua acknowledged that late diagnosis in these communities continues to fuel local transmission, sustaining tuberculosis as a persistent public health problem.
Authorities also track treatment abandonment as a key obstacle. While the number of patients who stopped their regimen fell from 244 in 2024 to 94 in 2025, this behavior risks severe consequences. Abandoning treatment can lead to relapse and the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis, which is far more difficult and costly to cure.
Free Treatment and Diagnostic Investments Continue
Panama provides free, internationally-approved treatment regimens for all diagnosed patients. The standard six-month course combines several antibiotics. A newer, abbreviated four-month regimen is also available, offering comparable effectiveness with a shorter duration to help improve patient adherence.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Health plans to deploy new diagnostic equipment by mid-2026. Funded by the International Monetary Fund, these advanced X-ray systems with diagnostic assistance software will be installed in the Chiriqui, Darien, and Colon health regions.
This technological upgrade aims to further strengthen the country’s epidemiological surveillance capacity. The goal is to accelerate early detection, a cornerstone of the broader strategy to control and eventually eliminate the disease nationwide.
Health leaders recognize that certain groups remain at elevated risk. Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those living with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or cancer, face a higher probability of developing active tuberculosis. Other risk factors include malnutrition, living in overcrowded conditions, and substance use.