Panama City, Panama – The Dr. José Renán Esquivel Children’s Hospital has reported treating at least 179 children for burn injuries between January and June 2025, with most victims being between one and four years old. According to hospital officials, the majority of these incidents occurred within homes and were entirely preventable, prompting renewed calls for enhanced safety measures.
Dr. Marvis Corro, a Pediatrician specializing in burns at the hospital, emphasized that most injuries result from scalds caused by hot liquids or oil. The hospital revealed this concerning data during a training session held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, designed to educate medical staff and local school teachers on proper burn response protocols.
“The majority of incidents occur within the home and are completely preventable,” said Dr. Marvis Corro [Translated from Spanish]. “We reiterate the call to parents and caregivers to reinforce safety measures, especially in spaces where children have access to hot liquids, stoves, or electrical outlets.”
Hospital Implements Prevention Training Program
In response to the high number of cases, the children’s hospital organized a specialized training session for medical personnel, nursing staff, and educators from nearby schools. The initiative aimed to teach proper first response techniques from the moment a burn injury occurs.
Dr. Corro explained that the training serves dual purposes: reinforcing healthcare workers’ knowledge and creating a prevention culture within the educational community. The program positions teachers as information multipliers who can disseminate crucial safety information to families.
“The intention of these trainings is not only to reinforce the knowledge of healthcare personnel but also to promote a culture of prevention in the educational community,” Dr. Corro stated [Translated from Spanish].
Seasonal Burn Risks and Prevention Focus
According to medical center data, scalds from hot water or cooking oil represent the most common type of burn injury treated at the facility. The hospital also noted that the latter months of the year typically see an increase in cases related to fireworks use.
The hospital issued a strong recommendation against children handling fireworks, emphasizing the particular risk as Panama approaches holiday seasons when fireworks use traditionally increases. This seasonal warning forms part of the institution’s broader burn prevention strategy.
The Dr. José Renán Esquivel Children’s Hospital continues to serve as Panama’s primary referral center for pediatric burn cases. The recent statistics and training initiative highlight ongoing concerns about household safety and the need for continued public education regarding burn prevention and immediate response measures.
For more information on burn prevention guidelines, visit the Hospital del Niño official website. Additional child safety resources are available through the Panama Ministry of Health.