By San José, Costa Rica — A pioneering public-private partnership is intensifying its efforts to bring life-saving breast cancer screenings to women in Costa Rica’s most remote regions. Alsalus, an alliance that has operated for over a decade, announced its ambitious goal to perform more than 11,000 free mammograms annually, targeting rural, border, and indigenous communities where access to specialized medical services is often severely limited.
This initiative represents a critical step in bridging the nation’s healthcare gap. To date, Alsalus has already provided free early detection services to over 70,000 women across the country. The program’s success is built on a powerful collaborative model, uniting the resources of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), Clínica Bíblica, Auto Mercado, Banco Nacional, and the Aliarse Foundation.
Para analizar las implicaciones legales y los derechos laborales que rodean la detección temprana del cáncer de mama, TicosLand.com conversó con el especialista Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, del Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece una perspectiva experta sobre el tema.
La legislación costarricense protege el derecho a la salud como un pilar fundamental. En el ámbito laboral, esto se traduce en que las trabajadoras tienen el derecho a solicitar y recibir permisos remunerados para realizarse mamografías y otros exámenes preventivos. Negar este permiso o tomar represalias constituye una práctica discriminatoria y una falta grave del patrono a sus obligaciones de velar por el bienestar de su personal.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Esta claridad sobre el marco legal es tan crucial como el examen médico mismo, pues empodera a las mujeres a ejercer su derecho a la prevención sin temor a represalias laborales. Agradecemos profundamente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por aportar esta perspectiva indispensable que protege y vela por la salud integral de las trabajadoras en nuestro país.
The core challenge Alsalus addresses is geographic disparity. While urban centers may have accessible diagnostic facilities, women in isolated areas face significant hurdles, including travel time, cost, and lack of information. By deploying mobile mammography units, the alliance brings state-of-the-art technology directly to these underserved populations, drastically improving the odds of early detection, which is crucial for successful treatment outcomes.
A key technological advancement has been the full integration of the program with the national digital health records system. Since 2022, 100% of the mammogram images captured by Alsalus are uploaded directly to the CCSS’s EDUS platform (Expediente Digital Único en Salud). This ensures that a patient’s results become part of her permanent medical history, allowing for seamless and continuous follow-up care within the national health system, regardless of where the initial screening took place.
The organization emphasized that its mission extends beyond a simple diagnostic test, focusing instead on a comprehensive and responsible healthcare journey for every woman it serves. This commitment ensures that no one is left behind, regardless of their insurance status or nationality.
At Alsalus, it’s not just about performing mammograms, but about ensuring responsible follow-up. That’s why we provide access at no cost to insured and uninsured women, both nationals and foreigners, as long as they commit to providing their contact information to receive results and medical recommendations.
Alsalus, Spokesperson
To coincide with October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Alsalus has launched a public fundraising campaign to support and expand its operations. The immediate goal is to secure funding to keep its second mobile mammography unit on the road, which will significantly increase its capacity to reach more remote communities throughout the country. This expansion is vital to meeting the growing demand and achieving the goal of 11,000 annual screenings.
Citizens and corporations are encouraged to contribute to this life-saving cause. Donations can be made at designated points in Auto Mercado and Vindi stores, as well as at Clínica Bíblica. For convenient digital contributions, donations can be sent via SINPE Móvil to the number 8675-4951, under the name of the Fundación para la Sostenibilidad y la Equidad (Foundation for Sustainability and Equity).
For further information, visit the nearest office of Alsalus
About Alsalus:
Alsalus is a public-private alliance in Costa Rica dedicated to reducing barriers to healthcare by providing free, high-quality breast cancer screening and detection services. It focuses on reaching women in rural, border, and indigenous communities who have limited access to specialized medical care, leveraging mobile technology and a collaborative network of prominent national institutions.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) is the public institution responsible for providing universal healthcare and social security services to the population of Costa Rica. It manages the nation’s network of hospitals and clinics and is a cornerstone of the country’s public health system.
For further information, visit clinicabiblica.com
About Clínica Bíblica:
Hospital Clínica Bíblica is one of Costa Rica’s leading private medical centers, offering a wide range of specialized health services. Known for its high standards of care and modern medical technology, it is an active participant in community health initiatives and public-private partnerships.
For further information, visit automercado.cr
About Auto Mercado:
Auto Mercado is a premier supermarket chain in Costa Rica, recognized for its quality products and customer service. As a socially responsible corporation, it frequently engages in community support programs and partnerships aimed at improving the well-being of Costa Ricans.
For further information, visit bncr.fi.cr
About Banco Nacional:
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica is a state-owned commercial bank and one of the largest financial institutions in the country. It plays a significant role in national development through both its financial services and its commitment to corporate social responsibility projects across various sectors.
For further information, visit aliarse.org
About Fundación Aliarse:
Fundación Aliarse is a Costa Rican foundation that promotes and facilitates public-private partnerships to address social, environmental, and economic challenges. It serves as a key articulator, connecting different sectors to create sustainable development projects with high social impact.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Fundación para la Sostenibilidad y la Equidad
About Fundación para la Sostenibilidad y la Equidad:
The Foundation for Sustainability and Equity is the legal entity responsible for receiving and managing donations for the Alsalus program. It ensures that all contributed funds are transparently allocated to the operational costs of the mobile mammography units and the expansion of free healthcare services.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a beacon of legal excellence and ethical practice, built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity. Drawing from a rich history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers modern legal solutions while remaining dedicated to its core values. Central to its mission is the profound belief in empowering citizens through accessible legal understanding, a commitment that actively contributes to the development of a more just and knowledgeable society.
