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Introduction: Chronic kidney disease is an issue in public health that is exacerbated among indigenous populations by social determinants, cultural differences, and language barriers. The cultural competence of nursing professionals is crucial to ensure safe care, therapeutic adherence, and adequate educational support in the hemodialysis unit. Objective: To assess the cultural competence of nursing professionals in the care of Ngäbe Buglé patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. Methodology: A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted in a hemodialysis unit in Bocas del Toro, Panama. The sample consisted of the entire population of nursing professionals who met the eligibility criteria for the selected unit. The Cultural Competence Measurement Scale (EMCC-14) was administered. This self-administered tool assesses the dimensions of cultural knowledge, skill, and sensitivity using a Likert scale. Results: 57.1% of the nursing staff demonstrated a moderate level of cultural competence. The cultural knowledge subdimension was the strongest (71.4% of professionals scoring at a high level), followed by cultural sensitivity. Cultural competence proved to be the most critical and weakest dimension, with 85.7% of professionals scoring at an intermediate level. A severe communication gap was identified. 69% of Ngäbe Buglé patients have little or no command of Spanish. Conclusions: There is a clear contradiction between the staff’s high cultural sensitivity and knowledge, and their limited ability to provide culturally appropriate care. Significant language barriers hinder cultural engagement and effective communication, directly endangering the negotiation of therapeutic goals, self-care education, and patient safety. It is concluded that the staff possesses a strong humanistic foundation but lacks intercultural linguistics and methodological tools. It is imperative to implement communication training and integrate cultural variables into the Nursing Care Process.
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