Panama's Ministry of Social Development (Mides) has acknowledged the need for immediate action in children's shelters after inspecting at least 48 official and private centers nationwide. Minister Beatriz Carles confirmed that, upon receiving reports and conducting on-site visits, the agency has implemented "immediate, progressive, and sustainable" measures to correct deficiencies in infrastructure, care, and management within these homes.
The statement, addressed to Deputy Alexandra Brenes, makes it clear that the State is reacting to findings that necessitate reinforcing the protection of minors under institutional custody. As part of a comprehensive improvement plan, Mides is working in coordination with the National Secretariat for Childhood, Adolescence, and Family (Senniaf). The measures focus on raising safety standards in shelters, improving the quality of life for minors, strengthening administrative transparency, and ensuring more efficient specialized care.
The minister stated that the findings align with evaluations the State has been conducting since early 2025 as part of its functions in social policy supervision and articulation. The document also warns that the problem is not limited to shelters. According to Mides, there are "unacceptable" levels of rights violations in sectors of high social fragility, especially in indigenous comarcas and rural areas. In this context, the agency insists that child protection is not exclusive to the State but a shared responsibility among the family, society, and public institutions.
Mides reported that, together with the Senniaf board, it maintains constant reviews of institutional reports to verify compliance with care standards and detect failures requiring immediate correction. As part of this process, Carles de Arango formally extended an invitation to Deputy Brenes to hold a meeting and follow up on the actions taken.
