The governments of the United States and Panama formalized a new health partnership this Wednesday, February 25. Officials signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at combating HIV/AIDS and improving infectious disease response through 2028.
Panamanian Minister of Health Fernando Boyd Galindo and United States Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera executed the agreement in Panama City. The deal allocates $33.5 million in funding and represents the first such Central American pact under the current U.S. global health strategy.
Focus on HIV and Infectious Disease Threats
This new framework seeks to strengthen existing collaboration, particularly under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). A core objective involves enhancing Panama’s capacity to identify and contain outbreaks locally to prevent international spread. The partnership builds upon a long history of cooperation developed through various bilateral channels.
Minister Boyd Galindo emphasized the strategic importance of the agreement for national public health.
“This memorandum is a testament to the robust alliance between our nations. It will allow us to advance significantly in the control of HIV and strengthen our epidemiological surveillance for other threats,” Boyd Galindo stated. [Translated from Spanish]
Ambassador Marino Cabrera highlighted the mutual benefits of the investment. He framed the funding as a direct contribution to regional health security.
“This $33.5 million commitment underscores our shared priority of protecting people from health threats. Working together, we can stop diseases at their source before they reach our borders,” the Ambassador said. [Translated from Spanish]
The immediate next steps involve technical teams from both countries establishing the specific implementation mechanisms. Officials did not publicly release a detailed timeline for deploying the resources. The Panamanian health ministry will manage the partnership in coordination with the Government of Panama.
This agreement arrives as nations globally reassess their preparedness for emerging infectious disease challenges. The focused funding aims to consolidate Panama’s role as a regional leader in public health management and outbreak response.