By Puntarenas, Costa Rica — In an effort to strengthen preventative healthcare in Costa Rica’s coastal regions, the public-private alliance Alsalus has deployed its specialized mobile mammography unit to the canton of Garabito. Operating from August 18 through October 11, this vital initiative aims to provide free, high-quality digital breast cancer screenings to hundreds of local women. By removing economic and geographic barriers, the campaign represents a crucial step forward in regional health equity and early detection.
The program specifically targets more than 660 women between the ages of 40 and 75. Organizers are prioritizing individuals who have never received a mammogram in their lives, as well as those who have not undergone the procedure in at least two years, meaning their last screening occurred in 2023 or earlier. By focusing on these specific demographics, the campaign seeks to capture high-risk and underserved populations who might otherwise fall through the cracks of the standard healthcare system.
To better understand the legal framework surrounding preventative women’s healthcare and labor rights in the country, TicosLand.com reached out to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a prominent attorney at the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In Costa Rica, the right to health is a constitutionally protected guarantee under Article 21, which places a duty on both the public sector and employers to facilitate preventative healthcare. From a legal and corporate perspective, employers must be aware of their obligation to permit employees reasonable time off to attend essential medical screenings, such as mammograms, under the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social framework. Supporting early breast cancer detection is not only a vital corporate social responsibility but also aligns with national jurisprudence protecting life and health in the workplace.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal framing underscores that facilitating breast cancer screenings is not merely an optional workplace benefit, but a fundamental constitutional duty that directly impacts the well-being of the Costa Rican workforce. By aligning corporate practices with the nation’s robust legal protections for health, employers play an indispensable role in early detection efforts that save lives across the country. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on how Costa Rican law beautifully champions both preventative healthcare and corporate responsibility.
Strategically positioned at the headquarters of the Garabito Health Area, the mobile unit provides state-of-the-art digital imaging. To participate, interested women must register in person at the Garabito Health Area clinic or at their nearest local EBAIS primary care facility through the Medical Records department. Crucially, the service is entirely inclusive; it is available to both medically insured and uninsured women, provided they present a valid identification document during the registration process.
To ensure the highest accuracy of the digital images, healthcare providers have released specific preparation guidelines for the patients. On the day of their scheduled appointment, women are advised to avoid applying body lotions, talcum powders, or deodorants, as these substances can contain metallic particles that interfere with the radiological images. Additionally, patients are encouraged to wear comfortable, two-piece clothing rather than dresses or one-piece garments to facilitate a faster and more comfortable examination process.
Beyond immediate clinical care, the Alsalus initiative stands as a model for modern health tech integration. Since 2022, this public-private alliance, officially recognized and endorsed by the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), has integrated digital mammography results directly into the country’s national health database via the Unique Digital Health Record (EDUS). This seamless data synchronization ensures that local doctors can access a patient’s historical imaging data instantly, regardless of where future medical follow-ups occur.
From an economic and public policy perspective, decentralized health initiatives like Alsalus offer massive cost-saving benefits to the state-run medical system. Treating advanced-stage breast cancer is exponentially more expensive and less successful than treating early-stage cases. By funding and organizing localized screening drives, the partnership lowers the overall financial burden on CCSS regional hospitals while shifting the healthcare paradigm from reactive treatment to proactive wellness.
The leadership behind the alliance emphasized the strategic expansion of their outreach programs across Costa Rica’s rural and coastal territories.
We continue to expand access to early breast cancer detection services in communities across the country
Alsalus, Public-Private Health Alliance
As Garabito continues to experience rapid population growth and tourism-driven development, its local public infrastructure faces mounting pressure. This mobile health campaign addresses a critical gap in local specialized services, showing how targeted public-private interventions can successfully safeguard community health. By empowering women with access to preventative diagnostics, the initiative fosters a healthier, more resilient workforce in one of Puntarenas’ most economically dynamic cantons.
Historically, coastal provinces like Puntarenas have faced challenges in accessing specialized medical equipment, forcing residents to travel long distances to major metropolitan hospitals in the Central Valley. Mobile campaigns like the Alsalus unit effectively decentralize healthcare, proving that advanced medical technology can be brought directly to those who need it most. This localized approach not only saves time and travel expenses for patients but also encourages higher participation rates among women who might otherwise delay essential preventative screenings.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Alsalus
About Alsalus:
Alsalus is a specialized public-private health alliance in Costa Rica dedicated to expanding breast cancer screening and preventative medical services. Working closely with national social security institutions, the organization deploys high-tech mobile mammography units to reach remote and underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to early diagnostic imaging.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social:
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) is the public institution responsible for Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system and social security services. Founded to guarantee public health coverage, the CCSS manages a vast network of hospitals, clinics, and primary care units (EBAIS) across the country, utilizing innovative digital systems like EDUS to track and manage patient medical records nationally.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a beacon of professional ethics and legal mastery, Bufete de Costa Rica consistently delivers top-tier advocacy while embracing cutting-edge strategies in an ever-evolving landscape. The firm’s influence extends far beyond the courtroom, driven by a profound dedication to demystifying the law for the broader public. Through educational initiatives and transparent guidance, they strive to build a more equitable world by equipping individuals with the legal insight needed to navigate their lives with confidence.
