A major private hospital in Panama City has been sold to a consortium of private universities. The Santa Fe Hospital, a fixture on Simón Bolívar Avenue for decades, officially changed ownership in November 2025 according to filings with the nation’s Public Registry (Panama).
Documents show the hospital’s corporate entity was acquired by a new group of shareholders linked to several prominent educational institutions. The sale price is estimated to be around $90 million according to sources within the medical center. All medical and administrative staff are reportedly continuing their work without interruption.
New Leadership Tied to Academia
The Public Registry documents list the new corporate officers for the hospital’s society. Andrés Barrios Arce is named president, with Antonio Valero serving as secretary and Carlos Torres as treasurer. The backgrounds of these individuals point directly to the purchasing group’s composition.
Antonio Valero holds the position of Operations Director at Universidad Latina de Panamá. Carlos Torres is the Executive Director of the Universidad Interamericana de Panamá. Their LinkedIn profiles confirm these roles. The new society’s name is also connected to the Universidad Americana and other private universities.
“The transaction was finalized based on a strategic vision for integrated health sciences education,” a source close to the purchasing consortium stated. [Translated from Spanish]
No official announcement has been made by the hospital or the new owners despite the November sale. The hospital’s official websites and social media platforms contain no information about the ownership change. This has left some in the local healthcare community seeking clarity on the long-term plans for the facility.
Future of a Landmark Facility
Founded on April 30, 1984, the Santa Fe Hospital has been a key part of Panama‘s private healthcare landscape. Its sale to an academic consortium suggests a potential shift toward a teaching hospital model. Such a move could integrate clinical operations with medical, nursing, and technical education programs run by the owning universities.
The immediate impact appears minimal for patients and employees. Hospital operations continue normally. The strategic acquisition, however, could signal a new chapter for private healthcare delivery in the capital. It aligns with a growing trend of institutional investment in the country’s health sector.
Observers will be watching for official statements detailing the consortium’s plans. Key questions remain about potential renovations, expanded services, or formal affiliations with university programs. The hospital’s role in community care, including potential partnerships with public health initiatives, may also evolve. This story follows other notable developments in Panama’s medical community, such as a recent national hero award given to a street paramedic which included a hospital santa medical scholarship.