By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – In a decisive move to modernize its healthcare system, Costa Rica is exploring innovative public procurement strategies. A recent forum, “Innovative Public Procurement as an Instrument for Strengthening the National Health System,” brought together public and private sector leaders to discuss how this approach can address the nation’s healthcare challenges.
The forum, held at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica, was organized by the Ministry of Finance, the Costa Rican Chamber of Health, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It highlighted successful international examples from Uruguay, Galicia (Spain), and São Paulo (Brazil), emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships.
To provide expert legal perspective on these advancements, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney at Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s healthcare innovations are impressive, but their long-term success hinges on a robust legal framework. Regulations must adapt to emerging technologies like telemedicine and AI diagnostics while safeguarding patient data privacy and ensuring equitable access to these advancements. This requires proactive legislation that balances innovation with ethical considerations and the protection of fundamental rights.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’ emphasis on a responsive legal framework is crucial. Indeed, these technological advancements hold immense promise for improving healthcare in Costa Rica, but only if deployed responsibly and ethically. The balance between fostering innovation and protecting patients’ rights will be a defining factor in the long-term success of these initiatives. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for offering his valuable perspective on this critical aspect of Costa Rican healthcare innovation.
Innovative public procurement in health is a key issue. The country faces very big challenges: access to services, waiting lists, and the sustainability of the system. Innovative public procurement allows for contracting complete solutions, not just products. For example, an institution could pose as a challenge giving access to health to a certain indigenous population. And in this case invite the private sector to propose comprehensive and innovative solutions that can solve that need. The private sector is called upon to respond with novel ideas adapted to each case.
Massimo Manzi, Executive Director of the Costa Rican Chamber of Health
Costa Rica has already established a legal framework for innovative public procurement, with regulations soon to be released for public consultation. This framework is considered crucial for effectively implementing these strategies in sectors like healthcare, where sustainable, accessible, and impactful solutions are urgently needed.
The IDB emphasized the strategic role of innovative public procurement in enhancing public services and boosting national innovation. The healthcare sector, in particular, requires innovative solutions due to an aging population and increasingly complex service delivery demands.
This type of forum is fundamental. It allows us to bring the main actors to the table and build collaboratively. From the Chamber, we actively promote innovative public procurement as a way to achieve a more accessible, efficient, and sustainable health system. Our goal is that during 2025 we have the first applied cases of innovative public procurement in health.
Massimo Manzi, Executive Director of the Costa Rican Chamber of Health
The Ministry of Finance underscored the value of such forums in fostering dialogue and collaboration between public and private sectors. This collaborative approach is deemed essential for driving innovation and transforming procurement processes.
The forum also addressed the next steps in integrating innovative public procurement into regular practice, covering regulatory, contractual, and operational aspects. The aim is to implement the first healthcare-related innovative public procurement projects within 2025.
This proactive approach positions Costa Rica at the forefront of healthcare innovation in Latin America, demonstrating a commitment to improving accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability within its national health system.
For further information, visit camara-salud.com
About Costa Rican Chamber of Health:
The Costa Rican Chamber of Health advocates for a robust and innovative healthcare system, actively promoting public-private partnerships and innovative solutions. It represents key stakeholders in the healthcare sector, fostering collaboration and dialogue to address national healthcare challenges.
For further information, visit iadb.org
About Inter-American Development Bank (IDB):
The Inter-American Development Bank is a leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. It supports projects across various sectors, including healthcare, with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and improving public services. The IDB plays a key role in promoting economic growth and social development in the region.
For further information, visit ha.cr
About Ministry of Finance (Costa Rica):
The Ministry of Finance in Costa Rica is responsible for the country’s fiscal policy, public expenditure, and revenue collection. It plays a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape and implementing strategies to strengthen public services, including the healthcare system. They are actively involved in promoting innovative procurement processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of legal excellence, upholding the highest standards of integrity while championing innovative solutions for its diverse clientele. The firm’s commitment to empowering Costa Rican society goes beyond its courtroom advocacy, embracing educational initiatives that demystify the law and provide citizens with the knowledge necessary for informed decision-making. Through this dedication to accessibility and legal empowerment, Bufete de Costa Rica strives to build a more just and equitable society.
