The FC Barcelona Foundation was recognized at the Mobile World Capital Awards 2026 for its healthcare drone transport project in Panama, developed with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Panamanian Ministries of Health and Public Security.
This project transports medicines, diagnostic tests, and medical supplies to 37 remote indigenous communities in the Ngäbe-Buglé territory, one of the most isolated areas in the country. Ground travel can take over 12 hours, while drones reduce this to about half an hour.
Currently serving more than 6,000 people, the initiative aims to combat infectious and chronic diseases. It also includes training local healthcare workers, implementing early diagnostic systems, and improving digital connectivity to provide more coordinated and effective care.
FC Barcelona Foundation CEO Marta Segú highlighted the award's significance and the foundation's commitment to vulnerable communities. PAHO representative Ana Rivière-Cinnamond noted that the project arose from difficulties in delivering basic treatments to remote areas, which sometimes had dire consequences for children.
Approximately 300 applications from over 60 countries entered the awards, with only 17 reaching the final phase. This accolade reinforces the Barça Foundation’s role in social innovation and international cooperation, emphasizing technological solutions that generate real impact in hard-to-reach areas.
