Within the framework of EXPOCOMER 2026, the V Forum “Panama as a Center for Innovation in Health” was held in Panama, where specialists analyzed the impact of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs). These conditions represent one of the main challenges for Panamanian public health, being responsible for over 60% of the deaths recorded in the country. Experts emphasized that investment in this area not only improves the quality of life but also drives the country's socioeconomic development. Participants agreed that the healthcare system must evolve towards more coordinated and sustainable care models. The forum highlighted a significant challenge: in Panama, more than 1.5 million people suffer from hypertension and over 500,000 from diabetes. Strengthening primary healthcare is key to reducing mortality from NCDs. This implies the development of public policies that facilitate the incorporation of innovative medicines and advanced health technologies. Carmen Da Silva, Director of the Panama and Dominican Republic Cluster at Fedefarma, highlighted the need to foster timely access to high-quality diagnostics and treatments to improve patient outcomes. Experts also stressed the importance of efficiently integrating the services of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) and the Social Security System (CSS) to optimize patient follow-up and strengthen primary care. The forum underscored that addressing NCDs requires comprehensive solutions, including public-private collaboration and the strategic use of health data.
