Gorgas Hospital, Former military hospital in Ancón, Panama.
Gorgas Hospital is a concrete building on Ancon Hill that was reconstructed in 1915 by architect Samuel Hitt with architectural details typical of that era. The structure now houses the Instituto Oncologico Nacional and continues to serve Panama's healthcare system.
The hospital opened in 1882 as L'Hospital Notre Dame de Canal under French management and later came under American control during the Panama Canal construction era. These shifts reflect the changing political circumstances of Panama during that period.
The facility became known for pioneering work in tropical medicine and public health improvements that changed how the region approached disease prevention. Today visitors can sense how this place shaped medical knowledge and practices across Panama.
The building sits on Ancon Hill and now serves as the Instituto Oncologico Nacional, which may restrict visitor access to certain areas. It is best to check in advance about visiting hours and guidelines for accessing the site.
During Operation Just Cause in 1989, the hospital functioned as a triage center while under direct fire, where medical teams provided care under extreme conditions. This episode reveals how the place remained vital during a turbulent moment in Panama's recent past.
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