IL Postcard

Punta Pacifica Hospital: Now Offering Excellent Medical Care in Panama

Date: 03/20/2006

Dear Panama First Alert Reader,

Exciting news from Panama: If you have an interest in Panama, we'd like you to know about something that will, no doubt, affect you if you decide to live or visit there.

As of mid-March, the new state-of-the-art Punta Pacifica Hospital has officially opened for business. Under an affiliation agreement with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, it boasts state-of-the-art diagnostic medical equipment, all digitally interfaced with Johns Hopkins facilities and experts in the U.S.

Fun Fact: Panama is the only place in the world where you can see the sun rise on the Pacific and set on the Atlantic.

Doctors and patients at Punta Pacifica can access medical opinions, diagnostic advice and laboratory services from Johns Hopkins resources in the U.S.-- even surgical videoconferencing. State-of-the-art digital diagnostic equipment includes MRI, mammogram, ultrasound, x-ray, homodynamic, endoscope, bone densitometry and other machines. There is also an extensive laboratory facility and an adjacent Medical Consultants Building with more than 350 specialists.

The majority of the doctors at Punta Pacifica were trained in the United States or England, and some are board certified in the United States. Regardless of where they are from or where they were trained, all must meet Johns Hopkins' accreditation standards.

The seven-story Punta Pacifica, which cost nearly $50 million to build, has 64 in-patient rooms, including 12 suites. All rooms are private. There are more than a dozen surgical rooms, eight intensive care and semi-intensive care rooms. Patient rooms and waiting rooms are equipped with flat-screen televisions, and waiting rooms are bright and comfortable.

The hospital was built to service the needs of Panamanians as well as patients from South America, Central America and the Caribbean who can easily access Panama--a travel hub in the region. Another attractive aspect of Punta Pacifica Hospital is its lower costs for services in comparison with hospitals in other places residents of this region typically patronize--like Miami.

Punta Pacifica consultant and acting CEO Carlos Barnes said the low cost of medical care is an integral part of the hospital's long-term strategic plan. He believes that people will choose hospitals like Punta Pacific instead of the U.S. because of escalating health care costs in the U.S. Plus, he said "It's the only hospital like it in the region. It has the best quality equipment, the same that you could find in the United States. And even better in some cases."

About the Fun Fact mentioned above: Did anyone notice that we mentioned seeing the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean and set over the Atlantic Ocean? Impossible, you say? Get out your map of Panama and take a look. Because of the squiggle shape of the country, it's possible to see the sun come up over the Gulf of Panama--part of the Pacific Ocean and go down over the Caribbean Sea--part of the Atlantic Ocean. This phenomenon is particularly apparent (and a bit mind-bending) when cruising the Panama Canal since, in truth, the Atlantic entrance of the canal is further west then the Pacific entrance. Doesn't seem like it should be so…but it is.

If you're thinking of moving to Panama, be sure to check out the Classifieds and Hot Properties sections of the Panama Insider website. There's a big, beautiful home for sale in La Montañeza, an upscale suburb of Panama City. Across from the International School of Panama and adjacent to the Panama Golf Club, this 3-bedroom, 3,440 sq. ft. home sits on a 12,000 sq. ft. lot. We have additional photos if you'd like to take a look. And we're happy to answer any questions you have about Panama.

Your Panama Country Consultants,

Brandon Clogston and Roger Lacayo
e-mail: Panama@InternationalLiving.com

PS: The house we mention above is an example of the types of properties you'll see if you join us on our upcoming Panama Real Estate Tour May 4-7 or at our Live and Prosper in Panama Conference July 20-22. Visit the International Living Events page for more details. And if you aren't one already, you should consider becoming a subscriber to Panama Insider. Every month we scout a different location in Panama and report on the opportunities we find there. Plus, we feature in-depth reports about issues like health care, banking, communications--Panama-specific information you won't find anywhere else. Visit the website to find out more about Panama Insider.