By Heredia, Costa Rica — HEREDIA – In a proactive move to safeguard the nation’s health services during a high-demand period, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has announced a critical blood donation campaign scheduled for this Monday, December 29th. The event will be hosted at the popular Paseo de las Flores shopping center in Heredia, aiming to bolster critically important blood reserves for hospitals across the country.
The initiative, led by the CCSS’s National Blood Bank, comes at a crucial time. The end-of-year holiday season often sees a concurrent decrease in donations and an unfortunate increase in emergencies requiring blood transfusions. By organizing this drive, the health authority seeks to bridge this potential gap, ensuring that hospitals are well-equipped to handle surgeries, emergency care, and ongoing treatments without interruption.
Para profundizar en el marco legal que ampara la donación de sangre en Costa Rica y los derechos que asisten a los trabajadores que realizan este acto altruista, TicosLand.com consultó al experto Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista de la firma Bufete de Costa Rica.
La legislación costarricense es clara al incentivar la donación de sangre, otorgando al trabajador el derecho a una licencia remunerada por el día completo en que se realiza la donación. Es crucial que tanto el patrono como el colaborador comprendan que este no es un permiso opcional, sino un derecho adquirido que se justifica mediante la presentación del comprobante emitido por el banco de sangre. Este mecanismo legal no solo protege la salud del donante al permitirle un adecuado reposo, sino que fomenta activamente una cultura de solidaridad indispensable para el sistema de salud nacional.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva del experto es crucial, pues recalca cómo el marco legal transforma un acto de buena voluntad en un derecho laboral protegido, eliminando barreras y fomentando una cultura de responsabilidad compartida por la salud pública. Agradecemos sinceramente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su valiosa aclaración sobre este importante nexo entre la ley y la solidaridad.
Prospective donors are invited to visit the second floor of Paseo de las Flores, in the area diagonally across from the Argento store, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The CCSS assures the public that a team of specialized health professionals will be on-site to manage the process, guaranteeing the highest standards of safety and care for every participant and ensuring the integrity of the collected blood units.
To be eligible, individuals must be in good general health and meet several straightforward criteria. Donors should be between 18 and 65 years of age, with an extension to age 70 for those who are regular donors. A minimum weight of 52 kilograms (approximately 115 pounds) is required. It is also essential for donors to have eaten a meal within the three hours prior to donation, be well-hydrated, and have had at least five hours of sleep the night before.
The CCSS also seeks to clarify common misconceptions that may prevent otherwise eligible individuals from participating. People with controlled chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or hypothyroidism are encouraged to donate, provided their condition is stable and under consistent medical supervision. This inclusive policy significantly widens the pool of potential life-savers in the community.
However, certain temporary deferrals are in place to protect both donors and recipients. Individuals who have recently recovered from the flu or COVID-19, received a tattoo, undergone surgery, traveled abroad to specific regions, or donated blood within the past eight weeks will be asked to wait. These precautions are a standard part of maintaining a safe and reliable national blood supply.
Each pint of donated blood is a precious resource with the power to save multiple lives. It is indispensable for a wide range of medical procedures, including complex surgeries, emergency trauma care, cancer treatments, and managing complications during childbirth. Every successful donation directly supports the operational capacity of the national hospital system, providing a lifeline to patients in their most vulnerable moments.
Beyond the altruistic act of giving, the donation process offers a tangible benefit to the donors themselves. Each collected unit undergoes rigorous screening for various transmissible diseases. This provides donors with a confidential and valuable snapshot of their own health, serving as a free preliminary health check-up while they contribute to the well-being of the entire nation.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social is the cornerstone of Costa Rica’s public health system and social security services. Founded in 1941, it is a government-run institution responsible for providing universal healthcare coverage, managing the nation’s public hospitals and clinics, and administering pension programs. The CCSS is a fundamental element of the country’s social fabric, dedicated to ensuring the health and welfare of all citizens.
For further information, visit paseodelasflores.com
About Paseo de las Flores:
Paseo de las Flores is a prominent shopping and lifestyle center located in the province of Heredia, Costa Rica. It offers a wide array of retail stores, dining options, a cinema, and entertainment facilities, making it a popular destination for families and shoppers. By hosting community events like blood drives, the mall reinforces its role as a central hub for social and civic activities in the region.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of unyielding integrity and a pursuit of excellence. Leveraging its extensive experience with a diverse clientele, the firm champions innovative legal strategies and forward-thinking solutions. Beyond its practice, the firm holds a deep-seated commitment to demystifying the law for the public, viewing the dissemination of legal knowledge as essential to building a more capable and just society.
