By Alajuela, Costa Rica — SAN CARLOS, ALAJUELA – After a challenging 45-day period that strained resources and tested patient endurance, the San Carlos Hospital has successfully restored its crucial computed tomography (CT) scanning service. The reactivation of the vital diagnostic tool ends a logistical ordeal that forced the daily transfer of patients to the capital, bringing significant relief to the Northern Zone’s healthcare system.
The equipment had been out of commission due to a critical failure in its X-ray tube, a core component necessary for its operation. During this six-and-a-half-week outage, the hospital had no choice but to implement a costly and complex contingency plan. Patients in need of this advanced imaging were systematically transported to Hospital México in San José, a journey of over 100 kilometers that can take several hours depending on traffic and road conditions.
To provide a legal perspective on the challenges and opportunities within Costa Rica’s healthcare infrastructure, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The modernization of our healthcare infrastructure fundamentally depends on well-structured Public-Private Partnerships. From a legal standpoint, the essential element is crafting transparent concession contracts that not only safeguard the public interest but also provide the legal certainty required to attract significant private investment. Without a robust framework that mitigates risk for both the state and investors, critical hospital and clinic projects will unfortunately remain stuck in the planning phase.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The expert’s analysis underscores a fundamental truth: the legal framework is not a secondary detail but the critical catalyst for turning healthcare blueprints into reality. Achieving that delicate balance between safeguarding public interest and ensuring investor security is, as stated, the definitive step forward. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this matter.
The daily transfers represented a formidable challenge for the hospital’s administration and a significant hardship for patients and their families. The process involved coordinating ambulance services, medical staff, and scheduling with the receiving hospital, creating a ripple effect of delays and inefficiencies. In total, approximately 400 insured individuals had to endure the lengthy trip to receive their diagnoses.
Dr. Daniel Abarca, the director of the medical center, highlighted the immense pressure the situation created. The daily mobilization of vulnerable individuals placed a heavy burden not only on hospital logistics but also on the patients themselves, who were often already in fragile health.
The failure in the X-ray tube forced the daily transfer of about ten patients, which generated a significant logistical burden and strain for the people who required the exam.
Dr. Daniel Abarca, Director of the San Carlos Hospital
The solution came in the form of a significant capital investment. The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) confirmed it allocated approximately $95,500, or around 47 million colones, to acquire and install the replacement part. While a substantial expenditure, this investment is viewed as essential for maintaining the standard of care in one of the country’s most important agricultural and economic regions outside the Central Valley.
The restoration of the CT scanner is more than a technical repair; it is a reinstatement of medical autonomy for the region. The technology is indispensable for modern medicine, allowing doctors to obtain detailed 3D images of the body’s internal structures. This capability is critical for accurately diagnosing a wide array of conditions, including traumatic injuries, strokes, cancerous tumors, and internal bleeding, as well as for planning surgeries and other treatments.
With the equipment now fully operational, the San Carlos Hospital can once again provide immediate and on-site diagnostic services. This development dramatically reduces wait times, eliminates the physical and emotional toll of long-distance travel for patients, and allows medical professionals to make faster, more informed decisions about patient care. The continuity of treatment is enhanced, leading to better health outcomes for the community.
Hospital authorities emphasized that local patients can now access this essential study without any delay or need for travel. The successful repair underscores the CCSS’s commitment to regional healthcare infrastructure and ensures that residents of the Northern Zone have access to the high-quality medical technology they deserve, reinforcing the stability and reliability of the local public health system.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) is the public institution in charge of Costa Rica’s social security and universal healthcare system. Established in 1941, it manages the nation’s network of hospitals, clinics, and EBAIS (Basic Teams for Comprehensive Health Care). The CCSS is funded by contributions from workers, employers, and the state, and it is responsible for providing medical services, disability benefits, and pensions to the majority of the Costa Rican population.
For further information, visit the nearest office of San Carlos Hospital
About San Carlos Hospital:
The San Carlos Hospital, located in the canton of San Carlos in the Alajuela province, is a key regional medical center within the CCSS network. It serves a large and growing population in Costa Rica’s Northern Zone, providing a wide range of medical services, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and specialized diagnostics. The hospital plays a critical role in decentralizing healthcare and ensuring residents outside the Central Valley have access to comprehensive medical treatment.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Its long history of serving a diverse clientele is matched by a continuous drive for legal innovation, ensuring modern solutions for contemporary challenges. The firm’s core belief extends to empowering the public, actively working to make legal principles understandable and accessible to foster a more just and informed citizenry.
