Photo By Andrea Jenkins | Panamanian health professionals listen during a preventive maintenance class at the...... read more read more
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LA MESA, Panama – For the medical staff at the Centro de Salud de La Mesa, learning how to maintain air conditioners may not be part of their usual routine—but thanks to AMISTAD 2025, they now have the knowledge to keep patients comfortable even after U.S. teams depart.
As part of the mission, U.S. Air Force crews replaced 20 new air conditioning units and condensers at the clinic, then turned their attention to teaching doctors, nurses and health professionals how to perform simple preventive maintenance that will extend the life of the investment.
“Preventive maintenance is the most important part of what we do as HVAC technicians,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jedidiah Floyd, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technician from Patrick Space Force Base, Fla.. “A well-maintained unit can last more than a decade. Without maintenance, it may fail in less than a year. That’s why teaching these skills is just as important as installing new equipment.”
To make the training practical, Air Force specialists rolled out an old condenser and evaporator that had been removed from service. Surrounded by medical staff, they explained how the system works, pointed out clogged coils and dirty filters, and showed what basic steps extend the life of the new machines.
“Even small actions—like washing filters with water once a month, wiping down vents with a rag and diluted bleach, or checking for clogged drains—make a huge difference,” Floyd said. “These steps aren’t complicated, but they keep the air clean for patients and prevent the units from burning out.”
Although none of the participants were HVAC specialists, the audience reflected the entire health center team: physicians, nurses, pharmacists, secretaries, and outreach staff. Each learned how their role could contribute to keeping the clinic safe and cool.
“If we wait for technicians to come from the province, it can take months,” said Dr. José Vargas, a general practice physician at the clinic. “There are only a few of them for more than 20 health centers. Now we know how to clean the filters and do basic steps ourselves. That means patients and staff don’t have to suffer the heat while waiting.”
Another participant, a childhood development specialist, noted that while she had never performed this kind of maintenance before—even at home—the training gave her confidence to take on basic tasks that will help the clinic’s equipment last longer.
For Vargas, the lesson was not about becoming HVAC experts, but about ownership.
“We work here every day,” Vargas said. “With this knowledge, we can keep the machines cooling for a long time. That makes the environment safer and more comfortable for our patients.”
The AMISTAD 2025 mission is more than equipment replacement; it’s about building lasting capacity. By pairing new AC units with preventive maintenance knowledge, crews ensured that Panamanian health professionals can extend the life of the investment and continue serving their communities in safe, cool, and reliable spaces.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2025 12:04 |
| Story ID: | 548850 |
| Location: | LA MESA, PA |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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