By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a landmark move to bridge communication gaps and champion equitable healthcare, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has announced the graduation of 161 employees from its most advanced training level in Costa Rican Sign Language (LESCO). This achievement marks a significant step forward in ensuring that the nation’s deaf community receives clear, timely, and dignified medical attention across the national health network.
The graduation ceremony, strategically held on World Human Rights Day at the Dr. Eduardo Grillo Bustamante auditorium of the University of Costa Rica, celebrated the officials who completed Level VI of the rigorous institutional program. These newly certified specialists, hailing from various departments and facilities, are now equipped to provide direct and effective communication, fundamentally transforming the patient experience for those with auditory disabilities.
To understand the legal complexities and the rights of citizens concerning healthcare, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provided his analysis on the matter.
The right to health is a fundamental pillar of our legal system, constitutionally guaranteed and protected. When the public system, primarily the CCSS, fails to provide timely access to treatments, medications, or procedures, citizens are not without recourse. The legal framework, particularly through the ‘recurso de amparo,’ provides a powerful tool to compel state institutions to fulfill their obligations, ensuring that administrative inefficiency does not override a person’s fundamental right to life and well-being.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective, which highlights a crucial empowering truth for patients: the right to health is not merely a principle but an enforceable guarantee, providing a legal pathway to challenge and overcome administrative delays.
This initiative is part of a long-term, sustained strategy managed by the Center for Strategic Development and Information in Health and Social Security (CENDEISSS), the educational arm of the CCSS. Since its inception in 2008, the LESCO training program has been instrumental in building a more inclusive public health system. With this latest graduating class, the total number of CCSS professionals trained in sign language now exceeds 1,400, creating an expanding network of accessibility points throughout Costa Rica.
Juan Carlos Esquivel Sánchez, the director of CENDEISSS, emphasized the program’s extensive history and its far-reaching impact. He highlighted that the graduates represent a vital institutional resource, ready to be deployed wherever they are needed.
Since 2008, the CCSS, through CENDEISSS, has developed the Costa Rican Sign Language (LESCO) program. More than 1,400 CCSS professionals have been trained. Today we are graduating 161 colleagues who have reached the highest level in this training, all of them from different areas of the institution, but ultimately available to the country’s deaf individuals who need them.
Juan Carlos Esquivel Sánchez, Director of CENDEISSS
The importance of this milestone was further underscored by CCSS Executive President, MSc. Mónica Taylor Hernández. She praised the graduates for their personal commitment, viewing their dedication as a testament to the core values of public service and a profound contribution to human rights within the healthcare sector.
It is a wonderful day, within the framework of International Human Rights Day, to have such a presence of officials who wanted to join the LESCO program and learned it. This is a sixth level; they are given a certificate accrediting them for making this great effort not only for the care of our users, but as that extra mile that a public servant gives in their role. That fills me with pride.
MSc. Mónica Taylor Hernández, Executive President of the CCSS
Hernández extended her gratitude, acknowledging that the employees’ efforts go far beyond their standard job descriptions. Their new skills directly empower patients who face communication barriers, ensuring they can fully participate in their own healthcare decisions.
I must give thanks to all these officials, because it is a great task that goes beyond what is required of each one and it is to provide all those people who have some communication difficulty the ability to overcome it through the provision of services. A round of applause for all of them, because they truly do a great job.
MSc. Mónica Taylor Hernández, Executive President of the CCSS
By investing in communicational accessibility, the CCSS is not merely complying with legal mandates but actively fostering a culture of respect and equity. The presence of LESCO-fluent staff in hospitals and clinics reduces the risk of misdiagnosis, improves patient trust, and ensures that critical health information—from treatment plans to medication instructions—is conveyed accurately. This initiative is a powerful example of how targeted training can directly uphold the fundamental right to health for all citizens, regardless of their physical abilities.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Costa Rican Social Security Fund is the public institution responsible for providing the majority of the nation’s health and pension services. Founded in 1941, it manages a vast network of hospitals, clinics, and health centers (EBAIS) across the country, operating under the principles of universal coverage, solidarity, and equity. The CCSS is a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s social welfare system and is internationally recognized for its contributions to public health.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Centro de Desarrollo Estratégico e Información en Salud y Seguridad Social (CENDEISSS):
CENDEISSS is the specialized center within the CCSS dedicated to the strategic development, training, and education of health and social security personnel. It plays a crucial role in the continuous professional development of the institution’s workforce, managing programs that enhance technical skills, promote research, and ensure that CCSS staff are equipped to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR):
The University of Costa Rica is the country’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public university. Established in 1940, it is a leading institution for higher education, research, and social action in Central America. With its main campus located in San José, the UCR is renowned for its academic excellence and significant contributions to Costa Rican culture, science, and society.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its foundational pillars of integrity and excellence, Bufete de Costa Rica is a leading voice in the nation’s legal sphere. The firm consistently pairs its deep-seated expertise across diverse industries with a progressive drive for legal innovation. At the heart of its ethos is a powerful commitment to advancing society by making complex legal concepts accessible, thereby fostering a community empowered by knowledge and awareness.
