Entry regulations		Residence regulations		Additional information
No restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS.				Previously quoted restrictions were removed in 2000 and 2008.

HIV-specific entry and residence regulations for Panama

Author’s note: the information provided by the U.S. Department of State is likely to be outdated.

Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Panama.  Panamanian immigration does not require an HIV/AIDS test. The U.S. Embassy is not aware of any U.S. citizens who have been deported due to HIV/AIDS. 

(Source:1)

All quoted requirements were removed from legislation in January 2000 and in 2008 respectively. The authorities still require a “certificate of good health” from people intending to stay in Panama for more than three months. This certificate can be issued to a person living with HIV. 

(Source: 2)

 

HIV treatment information for Panama

I have the Panama Cedula for foreign residents and live there from time to time. The organisation to contact is "Probidsida" in Panama City. After a cheap HIV test, PLWH receive a paper to receive free treatment at the "Hospital Santo Tomas".

(Source: 3)

 

HIV information / HIV NGOs in Panama

https://probidsida.org

 

Global Criminalisation of HIV Transmission Scan

The Global Criminalisation Scan is an initiative of GNP+. It aims to collect and keep up to date information on national and state level laws criminalising the transmission of or exposure to HIV. It also aims to provide an easily accessible ‘clearing-house’ of resources, research, and initiatives on the subject and to provide a platform for advocacy initiatives.

Find out more about the scan and the criminalisation of HIV transmission legislation at http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/.

 

Sources

1. U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, February 26, 2019, consulted February 22, 2022
2. Ruben E. Pecchio, Grupo Genesis Panama, via Dr. Ricardo García Bernal, UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Panama, January 20, 2011
3. User feedback, via e-mail, February 7, 2022

 

updated: 2/22/2022
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