Panama officially began construction on the Hospital for Pets, one of the most anticipated works by the citizenry and a campaign promise of the government of José Raúl Mulino. This Wednesday, in the presence of ministers, municipal authorities, and with more than 80 pets, the head of state handed over the first shovel of earth to the First Lady of the Republic, Maricel Cohen de Mulino. Regarding hospitalizations, it is estimated that around 40 animals can be accommodated per day. The event also announced that there will be a space for the training of students in the veterinary career who are inclined to care for dogs and cats. «With this first shovel, we are not just starting a project; we are fulfilling a campaign promise and contributing to building a more humane, responsible, and supportive Panama,» stated the president. The project is expected to be delivered in mid-2027. It will have 8 offices, 18 doctors daily, and a capacity of 240 consultations per day. Additionally, it will offer a wide range of services, such as: external consultation, emergencies, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, imaging, laboratory, and morgue. This projects an annual figure of 95,000 attendances for dogs and cats. «In this way, we will be contributing to the development of specialized talent in the country and giving opportunities to young people,» the president emphasized. The project, awarded to the company Construction Management Group (CMG), has a cost of 14.1 million balboas. It is estimated that the construction and operation of the center will generate around 1,200 jobs, contributing to the continuous improvement of the national economy. It is calculated that in the districts of Panama and San Miguelito, more than 181,000 pets will be direct beneficiaries of this project. Meanwhile, Roberto Linares, the Minister of Agricultural Development, revealed that in the city of David, Chiriquí province, the construction of a second Hospital for Pets is advancing.
