Earthquake aftermath – 35 schools and one hospital will have to be rebuilt

A total of 35 educational centers and one hospital will have to be rebuilt from scratch after the damage caused by the earthquake on Friday, October 9  To date, 619 educational centers have been evaluated nationwide, and at least 400 schools have been affected by the earthquake and that the 35 that cannot be occupied have an approximate student population of 3,031.

The Ministry  of Education said that for the student population who will not be able to return to the schools destroyed by the earthquake, alternatives will be implemented so that they can finish the school year.

There are 34 days of classes left to complete the 2026 school year, and students will not be left without receiving an education.

Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo reported that 67 of the 842 medical facilities were damaged. The Tonosí Hospital was completely destroyed and will have to be entirely rebuilt.

$61 million will be allocated to address the damage in all hospital centers.

Hospitals such as the Cecilio Castillero in Herrera; Joaquín Franco Sayas in Los Santos and Aquilino Tejeira in Coclé, which are temporarily operating in tents, will gradually return to the facilities once they are ready.

The hemodialysis room, located in the former maternity ward of Santo Tomás Hospital, did not suffer major damage, and care will continue to be provided once the affected area is cleaned.

The Minister of Government, Dinoska Montalvo, announced that they have registered 1,700 affected homes and some 6,000 people assisted.

Housing Minister Jaime Jované announced that work will begin this week to address the damage to the thousands of homes affected by the earthquake.