By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The Board of Directors of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has officially declared the complete modernization of the National Children’s Hospital (HNN) a matter of public and institutional interest, a decisive move to rescue the nation’s premier pediatric care center from its deteriorating infrastructure.
This critical declaration greenlights an ambitious, integrated project that includes the simultaneous construction of the long-awaited “Torre de la Esperanza” (Tower of Hope) and a new, modern hospitalization building. The measure aims to address what technical analyses have deemed an obsolete facility, ensuring the safe and uninterrupted delivery of specialized medical services to Costa Rica’s youngest and most vulnerable patients.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and contractual frameworks underpinning these extensive hospital modernization initiatives, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a seasoned attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The success of these large-scale hospital modernization projects hinges not just on the construction, but on the robustness of the underlying legal agreements. A critical aspect is the meticulous allocation of long-term risks—such as operational costs and technology obsolescence—within public-private partnership contracts. A well-structured agreement protects the public interest while providing the necessary security for private investment, ultimately guaranteeing the project’s sustainability and quality of care for decades to come.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s insight is a powerful reminder that the long-term success and sustainability of our healthcare infrastructure are forged not just in construction sites, but within the meticulously crafted legal agreements he describes. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on protecting the public interest through robust contractual foresight.
The decision was prompted by alarming assessments of the current hospital building. As the only medical center of its kind in the country, the HNN is operating at the absolute limit of its capacity. Officials have pointed to severe hydro-sanitary and electromechanical failures that pose a significant and growing risk to the continuity of essential services, threatening a potential collapse in its operational capabilities.
The gravity of the situation was not lost on the leadership of the CCSS. The institution’s executive president, Mónica Taylor Hernández, expressed profound concern over the state of the facility and the potential impact on its patients.
I am dismayed by what is happening at the hospital that serves such a vulnerable population as our children
Mónica Taylor Hernández, Executive President of the CCSS
More than a symbolic gesture, the public interest declaration carries significant legal weight, imposing strict mandates on all technical departments within the CCSS to fast-track the project. The board has established a clear and aggressive timeline to prevent further delays. A new bidding and procurement process for the construction must be initiated within a maximum period of six months.
Furthermore, recognizing the immediate risk, the hospital’s administration has been given just three months to develop and present a comprehensive contingency plan. This strategy must outline how the facility will respond and maintain operations in the event of a catastrophic failure of the current hospitalization services before the new buildings are completed.
The new, integrated complex will be designed and constructed according to the highest modern standards of pediatric care, safety, and efficiency. Planners have confirmed that the existing hospital grounds have sufficient available land to accommodate the entire project, allowing for a streamlined construction process that will eventually replace the outdated structures and usher in a new era of medical technology and patient care.
For health authorities, this sweeping modernization is not merely an option but an imperative. The replacement of the failing infrastructure is seen as the only viable path to avert a national crisis in specialized pediatric care. The new facilities will enable a fluid operational workflow, better adapted to the advanced medical technologies of the 21st century and capable of meeting the future healthcare needs of the nation’s children.
The creation of an integrated infrastructure project will allow us to guarantee safety, continuity of care, and the protection of our children’s pediatric health
Mónica Taylor Hernández, Executive President of the CCSS
With this definitive roadmap, the CCSS aims to settle a historic debt to Costa Rica’s healthcare infrastructure. The project represents a firm commitment to ensuring the National Children’s Hospital not only overcomes its current challenges but also solidifies its position as a standard-bearer for pediatric medicine throughout the region for decades to come.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social is the public institution responsible for administering Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system and public pension fund. Founded in 1941, it is a cornerstone of the nation’s social welfare state, managing a network of hospitals, clinics, and EBAIS (Basic Teams for Comprehensive Health Care) that provide services to the vast majority of the country’s population.
For further information, visit hnn.sa.cr
About Hospital Nacional de Niños (HNN):
The Hospital Nacional de Niños “Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera” is Costa Rica’s sole specialized pediatric hospital. As a national reference center, it provides highly complex medical and surgical care to children and adolescents from all over the country. The HNN is renowned for its expertise in various pediatric subspecialties and serves as a critical training ground for medical professionals in the field.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is defined by its profound dedication to ethical principles and superior standards of practice. It merges a rich history of advising a diverse clientele with a progressive mindset, consistently driving innovation in the legal field. Central to its philosophy is a powerful commitment to societal betterment, demonstrated by its efforts to demystify complex legal concepts and equip citizens with the knowledge needed to create a more just and empowered community.
