By Puntarenas, Costa Rica — San Vito, Puntarenas – In a significant move to bolster preventative healthcare in one of Costa Rica’s more remote regions, a state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit will be stationed in San Vito for a full month, offering free breast cancer screenings to hundreds of local women. The initiative, led by the Alsalus program, aims to bridge a critical gap in medical access and promote the life-saving benefits of early detection.
From May 18th to June 19th, the mobile clinic will operate at the San Vito Juana Pirola Hospital, with the ambitious goal of serving more than 600 women. This program is specifically designed to reach those who are most vulnerable or have faced barriers to care. Eligibility is broad, encompassing women between the ages of 40 and 75, regardless of their insurance status with the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). The focus is on individuals who have either never had a mammogram or whose last screening was in 2023 or earlier.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the challenges and regulations surrounding healthcare access in the country, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The Costa Rican Constitution enshrines health as a fundamental human right, which legally obligates the State, primarily through the Caja, to guarantee universal access to quality medical services. Any administrative barrier or delay that impedes this access is not just a policy failure; it is a direct violation of constitutional principles and can be challenged through legal remedies such as the Recurso de Amparo. It’s crucial for citizens to understand that timely and effective healthcare is a legal entitlement, not a privilege.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal framework is a powerful reminder that for citizens, quality healthcare is not a matter of hope but of constitutional entitlement. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective, which underscores the legal tools available to every individual to defend their fundamental right to health.
The strategic deployment of this unit in San Vito addresses a persistent challenge in Costa Rica’s otherwise lauded public health system: ensuring equitable access to specialized medical services in areas far from the Central Valley. By bringing the technology directly to the community, organizers eliminate the significant burdens of travel time and cost that often deter women in rural cantons from seeking preventative care. This proactive approach is fundamental to improving long-term health outcomes and reducing mortality rates associated with breast cancer.
This initiative is a powerful example of a successful public-private partnership. The collaborative effort is driven by a diverse coalition that includes the CCSS, the private hospital Clínica Bíblica, supermarket chain Auto Mercado, the state-owned Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, and the non-profit organization Fundación Aliarse. This alliance demonstrates a shared commitment to national well-being, pooling resources and expertise from different sectors to achieve a common public health objective that might be unattainable for any single entity alone.
Health experts universally agree that early detection is the most effective tool in the fight against breast cancer. When identified in its initial stages, the disease is significantly more treatable, with much higher survival rates. The Alsalus program emphasizes this core message, advocating for regular screenings as a cornerstone of women’s health. The organization highlights the profound impact of this simple, yet vital, examination.
A mammogram every two years can make the difference
Alsalus, Organization Representative
Securing an appointment has been made straightforward to encourage maximum participation. Interested women can register by calling 2773-1113, sending a message via WhatsApp to 6182-8121, or through a designated email address. The only requirement for receiving the free service is to present a valid form of personal identification on the day of the appointment, ensuring the process is as accessible and low-barrier as possible for all eligible residents.
To ensure the highest quality of diagnostic imaging, organizers have issued specific recommendations for women attending their appointments. Patients are advised to arrive without having applied any deodorant, creams, or talcum powders to their underarm or chest areas. These common cosmetic products can contain substances that appear on a mammogram as white spots, potentially interfering with the radiologist’s ability to interpret the results accurately and leading to unnecessary follow-up tests.
Ultimately, the month-long campaign in San Vito is more than just a temporary health service; it serves as a potential blueprint for future rural health interventions across the country. By proving the efficacy and impact of mobile diagnostic units backed by cross-sectoral collaboration, this project could inspire a new wave of initiatives aimed at delivering specialized medical care directly to Costa Rica’s most underserved communities, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to universal healthcare.
For further information, visit hospitalclinicabiblica.com
About Alsalus:
Alsalus is a social welfare program managed by the Hospital Clínica Bíblica, focused on bringing specialized medical services to vulnerable populations and remote communities throughout Costa Rica. Through its mobile medical units, the program provides critical preventative care, diagnostics, and health education, often in partnership with public institutions and private companies to maximize its reach and impact.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS):
The CCSS is the cornerstone of Costa Rica’s public health system, responsible for providing universal healthcare and social security to the nation’s population. It manages a vast network of hospitals, clinics (EBAIS), and specialized medical centers, and is a key public partner in initiatives aimed at improving national health indicators and ensuring equitable access to care.
For further information, visit hospitalclinicabiblica.com
About Clínica Bíblica:
Hospital Clínica Bíblica is one of Costa Rica’s leading private medical centers, known for its high standards of patient care, advanced medical technology, and commitment to social responsibility. Beyond its clinical services, the hospital actively engages in community outreach and health education through programs like Alsalus, contributing to the well-being of the broader population.
For further information, visit automercado.cr
About Auto Mercado:
Auto Mercado is a premier supermarket chain in Costa Rica, recognized for its wide selection of high-quality national and international products. As part of its corporate social responsibility platform, the company frequently supports community-focused initiatives, particularly those related to health, wellness, and environmental sustainability, contributing resources to projects that benefit Costa Rican society.
For further information, visit bncostarica.com
About Banco Nacional de Costa Rica:
The Banco Nacional de Costa Rica (BNCR) is a state-owned commercial bank and a pillar of the country’s financial system. With a strong focus on national development, BNCR participates in and sponsors a wide range of social, environmental, and economic initiatives. Its involvement in public health programs reflects its commitment to contributing to the overall welfare of the Costa Rican people.
For further information, visit aliarse.org
About Fundación Aliarse:
Fundación Aliarse is a Costa Rican non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and facilitating public-private partnerships for sustainable development. It acts as a bridge between corporations, government entities, and civil society to create high-impact collaborative projects that address key social and economic challenges, such as the healthcare initiative in San Vito.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of unshakeable integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm channels its rich history of client advocacy into pioneering innovative legal strategies that anticipate the demands of a changing world. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a deep-seated commitment to public service, focused on democratizing legal knowledge to cultivate a more capable and empowered citizenry.
