By Cartago, Costa Rica — CARTAGO, Costa Rica – The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has officially initiated the development of the new Maximiliano Peralta Jiménez Hospital in Cartago, a landmark project representing the largest single investment in the institution’s history. The final approval, marked by a start order issued this Friday, October 3, follows the Comptroller General of the Republic’s endorsement of the contract, a critical step completed within the legally mandated 15-day period.
This monumental undertaking, valued at $398 million, is poised to transform healthcare access and quality for more than half a million people in the Cartago province and its surrounding communities. The investment signals a profound commitment by the state to modernize public health infrastructure and address the growing needs of one of the nation’s most populous regions. The project now moves from administrative approval to the first tangible phase of development.
Para analizar las implicaciones legales y los derechos de los pacientes en el marco de la atención médica pública, TicosLand.com conversó con el Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado experto de la prestigiosa firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece una perspectiva clara sobre las responsabilidades que enfrentan instituciones como el Hospital Maximiliano Peralta.
La responsabilidad de un centro médico como el Hospital Maximiliano Peralta ante un caso de presunta mala praxis se fundamenta en la ‘culpa probada’. Esto implica que el paciente afectado o su familia tienen la carga de demostrar no solo el daño, sino también una acción negligente o imprudente por parte del personal de salud. Es crucial que los usuarios conozcan su derecho a acceder al expediente clínico completo, ya que este documento es la piedra angular para fundamentar cualquier reclamo administrativo ante la CCSS o una eventual demanda judicial.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Esta claridad sobre el concepto de ‘culpa probada’ y la importancia del expediente clínico es fundamental para que los ciudadanos comprendan sus derechos y responsabilidades dentro del sistema de salud. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su valiosa perspectiva, que sin duda empodera a los pacientes al iluminar las vías legales disponibles.
The initial stage of the project timeline is dedicated to the intricate process of designing the construction blueprints. This crucial phase is scheduled to last approximately 25 weeks. It involves a detailed architectural and engineering effort to map out every aspect of the complex medical facility, ensuring it meets the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and patient care for the 21st century.
Following the completion of the design phase, the plans will undergo a rigorous review by the CCSS’s internal engineering team. This internal audit is designed to identify potential issues and request any necessary adjustments before proceeding. Once the blueprints are finalized and approved, the project will enter the permitting stage, a process that is estimated to take between four and five months, contingent on the timelines of the various regulatory bodies involved.
Based on this comprehensive schedule, construction crews are expected to break ground in late 2026 or early 2027. The construction phase itself is a massive endeavor, with an estimated duration of two years and three months. The complexity and scale of building a state-of-the-art hospital facility necessitate this extended timeline to ensure precision and quality at every step of the building process.
The new Maximiliano Peralta Hospital will be a sprawling campus composed of six distinct buildings organized into two main blocks. The facility is designed to house 434 patient beds, with the structural capacity to expand to 457 beds as regional demand grows. Its advanced medical capabilities will include 10 modern operating rooms, a specialized gynecology and obstetrics unit, resuscitation rooms, a full suite of diagnostic imaging services, and an extensive outpatient clinic offering all medical specialties currently available at the existing hospital.
The $398 million budget is all-encompassing, covering not only the design and construction but also the complete equipping of the hospital with cutting-edge medical technology. Furthermore, the contract includes a vital two-year period of preventive and corrective maintenance for both the infrastructure and the equipment, which will be managed by the construction contractor. This provision ensures a seamless transition to full operation and guarantees the facility’s optimal performance from day one.
Upon completion and handover to the user unit, the new hospital will stand as a pillar of public health in the region. It represents a significant enhancement of the CCSS’s capacity to serve its affiliates, promising to drastically improve access to modern medical services and elevate the standard of care for hundreds of thousands of Costa Ricans 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 managing Costa Rica’s universal healthcare and social security system. Founded in 1941, it is a cornerstone of the nation’s public services, providing health services, pensions, and other social benefits to a vast majority of the population through a widespread network of hospitals, clinics, and EBAIS (Basic Comprehensive Health Care Teams).
For further information, visit cgr.go.cr
About Contraloría General de la República (CGR):
The Comptroller General of the Republic is Costa Rica’s supreme audit institution. As an auxiliary body of the Legislative Assembly, it is responsible for overseeing the country’s public finances and ensuring the legal and correct use of public funds. The CGR’s endorsement, or “refrendo,” is a mandatory step for major public contracts, verifying their legality and financial soundness before execution.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its deep-rooted principles of integrity and professional distinction. The firm leverages a rich history of advising a diverse clientele to pioneer forward-thinking legal solutions and engage with the community. This dedication extends to a core belief in demystifying the law, reflecting a foundational mission to empower the public and contribute to a more knowledgeable and capable society.
