In the Plaza Francia, in the Casco Antiguo, in this capital city, a plaque commemorates the scientist, native of the central province of Camagüey, and recognizes his contribution to the construction of the Canal.

“The discovery of the transmission of the yellow fever germ by Dr. Carlos J. Finlay in 1881 not only marks an epoch in the scientific history of the world, but is of special significance for Panama.

Without this discovery, which made possible the sanitation of tropical areas, the great work of the Panama Canal would not have been possible without the enormous sacrifice of lives. The people and Government of Panama are grateful to the illustrious Cuban scholar and perpetuate his memory,” the text reads.

Also in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Panama, the eminent scientist is honored with a bust in memory of the man who was the first to theorize that the transmission of yellow fever was caused by the bite of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

For many, Finlay’s imprint was perpetuated many years later with the presence in Panama of collaborators and health professionals who contributed with Operation Miracle to restore sight to thousands of fellow citizens or hundreds of collaborators who put their shoulder to save lives during the Covid 19 pandemic in the years 2020 and 2021.

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