The government of Panama has approved the purchase of 24 new ambulances for the Single System for Prehospital Emergency Management (Sume 911) at a cost of $3 million. This order includes 18 advanced life support 4x2 ambulances, valued at $2.3 million, and six 4x4 vehicles for $720,000. These purchases are in addition to a process carried out in June 2025, when an additional 38 ambulances were decommissioned. On January 15th and 16th, Sume 911 decommissioned seven ambulances at its Pedregal facilities. The total amount of $3 million is intended to strengthen the transport of critically ill patients throughout the country. The vehicles will be equipped with specialized equipment, medical supplies, and trained personnel to stabilize patients while being transported to a hospital. During that month, 3,232 patients were transferred and 2,830 people received on-site care. Currently, Sume 911 has 31 dispatch points nationwide. In January, the centers with the most dispatches were Villa Olímpica (712), Atlapa (648), Pan de Azúcar (618), UTP Centennial (613), and Bique, in Arraiján (551). MPS Latam, SA will be responsible for supplying the vehicles, which will be equipped to handle high-risk emergencies. Advanced life support ambulances are used for patients whose condition is actually or potentially critical. SUME received 3,433 effective calls to the 9-1-1 line during the 2026 Carnivals. During the recent carnival celebrations, the most frequent emergencies were cases of unconsciousness or fainting (143) and traffic accidents (142). There were also 842 canceled appointments and 759 people who refused treatment. According to a report from the Institutional Unit for Heritage Assets, more than 17,000 tons of ferrous material were collected.
