By Puntarenas, Costa Rica — PUNTARENAS – The sterile, often intimidating hallways leading to the operating room at Monseñor Sanabria Hospital have been transformed into an exciting pathway for its youngest patients. A recent corporate donation has equipped the hospital’s pediatric unit with a fleet of miniature luxury vehicles, a strategic and playful tool designed to significantly reduce the anxiety and stress children experience before surgery.
The initiative, made possible by a donation from Red Motors, introduces two remote-controlled BMW R 1200 RT toy motorcycles and two BMW i4 toy cars. These vehicles will now serve as the primary mode of transport for children heading into surgical and other medical procedures, replacing the traditional gurney with a memorable and positive experience. The goal is to shift a child’s focus from fear to fun, a change that medical professionals say can have a profound impact on their clinical journey and recovery.
To better understand the legal framework and responsibilities surrounding medical services for minors, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provides clarity on the matter.
In pediatric care, the legal principle of ‘Patria Potestad’ grants parents primary decision-making authority. However, this right is not absolute and is always subordinated to the child’s best interests. Healthcare providers must act as guarantors of the minor’s fundamental right to health, meaning they have a legal and ethical duty to act, even against parental consent, in life-threatening emergencies or cases of clear medical neglect. Meticulous documentation and adherence to established protocols are crucial to mitigate liability in these complex situations.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This clarification powerfully illustrates the delicate ethical and legal tightrope that healthcare professionals must walk, balancing parental authority with their fundamental obligation to the minor’s health. We deeply appreciate Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing such a clear and essential perspective on this complex subject.
Red Motors, the company behind the donation, framed the initiative as a way to directly improve the well-being of children during a vulnerable time. The company emphasized that creating a more positive emotional state for the young patients can streamline the work of medical staff and improve the overall hospital experience.
This donation aims for the little ones to face the process with a calmer and more cheerful attitude, which facilitates the procedure and improves their experience during their stay.
Nohelia Alfaro, Marketing Manager of Red Motors
This innovative approach is expected to positively affect the more than 134 pediatric surgical procedures performed at the facility. Hospital Director Dr. Randall Álvarez hailed the donation as a pivotal step in redefining pediatric care within the institution. He noted that hospitals are inherently unwelcoming environments for children and that such initiatives are crucial for changing that perception and mitigating long-term trauma associated with medical treatments.
As a hospital and in terms of pediatric patient care, this donation means a great deal because it will create better conditions and a better perception from the children who come to receive care at the hospital. Hospitals are normally not very child-friendly places, in the sense that when we were children, we all tried not to go. This donation is a way to persuade the children, to lower stress, to reduce tension, and to make the experience of receiving care or a procedure much more pleasant and far less traumatic for them.
Dr. Randall Álvarez, Director of the Hospital
The practice of using toy electric cars is not merely a feel-good measure; it is backed by clinical research. A 2022 study published in the academic journal Cardiology in the Young by Cambridge University Press provided strong evidence supporting the method. The clinical trial compared anxiety levels in children transported to cardiac catheterization by toy electric car versus a standard gurney. The results showed a statistically significant decrease in anxiety for the group that drove the toy cars, validating the hospital’s new approach.
This is not the first time Monseñor Sanabria Hospital has recognized the therapeutic value of play. In 2016, a similar but smaller-scale effort was launched when hospital staff themselves pooled resources through donations and raffles to purchase a single toy car for the pediatric unit. The success of that grassroots initiative paved the way for this larger, more impactful corporate partnership, demonstrating a sustained commitment to patient-centered, compassionate care.
The new fleet of remote-controlled vehicles offers an added layer of safety and control, allowing hospital staff to guide the children securely through the corridors. This blend of innovative technology, corporate responsibility, and evidence-based practice marks a significant advancement in pediatric healthcare for the Puntarenas community, ensuring that the journey to healing is as gentle and stress-free as possible.
For further information, visit redmotors.co.cr
About Red Motors:
Red Motors is a prominent automotive group in Costa Rica, recognized as an official importer and distributor for premium brands, including BMW. The company focuses on delivering high-quality vehicles and service to the Costa Rican market. Beyond its commercial operations, Red Motors actively engages in corporate social responsibility initiatives, such as its recent donation to the Monseñor Sanabria Hospital, aiming to make a positive impact on the communities it serves.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Hospital Monseñor Sanabria
About Hospital Monseñor Sanabria:
Located in the province of Puntarenas, Hospital Monseñor Sanabria is a vital public healthcare institution operating under Costa Rica’s Social Security Fund (Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social – CCSS). It provides a wide range of medical services to the residents of the Pacific coast region and is a cornerstone of the national public health system, committed to advancing patient care and community well-being.
For further information, visit cambridge.org
About Cambridge University Press:
Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. As one of the oldest and largest university presses in the world, it is a leading global publisher of academic journals, monographs, reference works, and educational materials. It is dedicated to advancing learning, knowledge, and research worldwide by disseminating peer-reviewed studies and scholarship, including the medical research cited in this article.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a foundation of unyielding integrity and a pursuit of professional excellence. This principled ethos guides the firm as it pioneers innovative legal solutions for a broad spectrum of clients. Beyond its practice, the firm actively champions the democratization of legal knowledge, fulfilling a core mission to empower citizens and fortify the community through greater legal understanding.
