The Ministry of Social Development (Mides) of Panama is leading an interinstitutional plan to protect vulnerable children. This initiative is based on current legal provisions, including Law 285 of 2022, Law 14 of 2009, and Executive Decree 404 of 2020, which set the guidelines for safeguarding the rights of minors. The agreed plan includes the review and updating of the Protocol for the Care of Children without Parental Care in Shelters in Panama. Minister Beatriz Carles de Arango emphasized that this space for collaboration was conceived to generate concrete and measurable results within defined timeframes, respecting the functional scope of each institution. The working table included representatives from the Ministry of Government and the Ministry of Health, the University of Panama and the Ombudsman's Office, the Superior Court for Childhood and Adolescence and the National Police, as well as SENNIAF and UNICEF. Under the leadership of Minister Carles de Arango, Mides renews its commitment to articulate and monitor this action plan. The ultimate goal is to transform the current protection system and significantly improve the quality of care provided to vulnerable children, under a human rights and multidisciplinary approach.
