By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – A powerful corporate alliance is renewing its commitment to women’s health, announcing the official start of the 2026 registration period for its landmark “Ya es Hora” (It’s Time) initiative. The program, which has become a critical tool in the fight against breast cancer, aims to provide more than 5,000 mammograms to women in various communities across the country this year.
The announcement comes on the heels of a highly successful two-year period that underscores the program’s vital impact. Between 2024 and 2025, Ya es Hora far surpassed its initial goals, facilitating an impressive 7,205 mammograms, 778 follow-up ultrasounds, and 72 essential biopsies. These proactive screenings were directly responsible for the early detection and subsequent timely treatment of 23 cases of breast cancer, demonstrating the tangible, life-saving power of accessible healthcare.
To delve into the legal complexities and protections surrounding women’s health in the nation, TicosLand.com sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the renowned law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The legal framework for women’s health in Costa Rica is comprehensive, yet its full scope is often not widely understood. It encompasses not just the fundamental right to informed consent and patient confidentiality in medical procedures, but also extends critically into the workplace, safeguarding against discrimination based on pregnancy and ensuring the right to maternity leave. Empowering women with knowledge of these interconnected rights is essential for their holistic protection and well-being.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas’s insight is crucial, highlighting that true well-being is achieved when legal protections in the clinic are understood in tandem with those in the workplace. We thank him for underscoring how knowledge transforms these legal frameworks from abstract principles into tangible security for women across the country.
The initiative’s success is rooted in its mission to dismantle the barriers that prevent many women from receiving regular health check-ups. By focusing on communities where geographic distance, economic hardship, or a lack of information create significant obstacles, Ya es Hora ensures that early detection is not a privilege but a possibility for a broader segment of the population. This model moves beyond simply providing a test; it builds a comprehensive ecosystem of care.
Ya es Hora has strategically positioned itself as an integrated program that encompasses not only initial screening but also crucial medical follow-up and access to specialized services. This holistic approach ensures that women who receive an abnormal result are not left to navigate the complex healthcare system alone, but are guided through the necessary next steps toward diagnosis and treatment.
The results from the previous cycle reaffirm the direct link between access and positive health outcomes, a point emphasized by leaders of the initiative. Grupo Montecristo, a driving force behind the alliance, highlighted the profound effect of the program on individuals and their families.
Each mammogram represents an opportunity for timely detection and peace of mind for a woman and her family. The results confirm that access generates a real impact. That is why in 2026 we continue to strengthen this effort to reach more women and continue saving lives.
Mónica Nagel, Director of Corporate Affairs of Grupo Montecristo
For its 2026 campaign, the program will continue to operate on its three core pillars: promoting early detection through accessible screenings, providing widespread health education to raise awareness, and ensuring opportune medical accompaniment for all participants. These interconnected strategies are designed to systematically reduce the overall impact of breast cancer in Costa Rica, transforming data into diagnoses and, ultimately, diagnoses into opportunities for a healthy future.
The program’s sustainable model is made possible by a broad and diverse coalition of prominent businesses. The alliance includes Hospital Metropolitano, Avon, Grupo Purdy, BAC, MediSmart, Grupo Dokka, FUNDESO, CENRAD, Coopeguanacaste, Sanford Health, Amazon, Gutis, and FIFCO, all of whom have pooled resources and expertise to make this initiative a reality.
Women interested in participating in the 2026 Ya es Hora program can begin the registration process through the official website, yaeshoracr.com. Program organizers note that available appointments are limited and will be assigned based on availability and established medical criteria, encouraging early application.
For further information, visit grupomontecristo.net
About Grupo Montecristo:
Grupo Montecristo is a diversified Costa Rican business conglomerate with significant investments in the health, real estate, and commercial sectors. The group is known for its commitment to social responsibility and its role in developing projects that contribute to the country’s economic and social well-being, including leading the “Ya es Hora” initiative.
For further information, visit metropolitano.co.cr
About Hospital Metropolitano:
Hospital Metropolitano is a leading private hospital network in Costa Rica, offering a wide range of medical services and specialties. It is a key partner in the Ya es Hora alliance, providing the medical infrastructure and expertise necessary for performing mammograms and subsequent diagnostic procedures.
For further information, visit avon.cr
About Avon:
Avon is a global beauty company with a long-standing commitment to women’s empowerment and health. The company has a significant presence in Costa Rica and actively participates in philanthropic efforts, particularly those related to breast cancer awareness and research.
For further information, visit grupopurdy.com
About Grupo Purdy:
Grupo Purdy is a leading automotive company in Costa Rica, recognized as the official distributor for Toyota, Lexus, and Hino. The company is actively involved in corporate social responsibility, supporting initiatives that promote environmental sustainability, road safety, and community health.
For further information, visit baccredomatic.com
About BAC:
BAC Credomatic is a prominent financial institution with a strong presence throughout Central America. The bank offers a comprehensive suite of financial services and is committed to supporting community development and social welfare programs as part of its corporate strategy.
For further information, visit medismart.net
About MediSmart:
MediSmart is a medical discount plan in Costa Rica that provides its members with affordable access to a wide network of private doctors, hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies. Its participation supports the goal of making healthcare more accessible to the population.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Grupo Dokka
About Grupo Dokka:
Grupo Dokka is a business entity involved in various commercial and investment activities. As a member of the Ya es Hora alliance, it contributes resources and support to the initiative’s operational and outreach goals, reflecting a commitment to national health issues.
For further information, visit the nearest office of FUNDESO
About FUNDESO:
FUNDESO (Fundación de Desarrollo Social) is a social development foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations. Its expertise in community outreach and social programs is a valuable asset to the Ya es Hora initiative’s mission.
For further information, visit cenrad.net
About CENRAD:
CENRAD is a specialized radiological center providing advanced medical imaging services. Its technical expertise and equipment are crucial for the diagnostic phase of the Ya es Hora program, ensuring high-quality mammography and imaging analysis.
For further information, visit coopeguanacaste.com
About Coopeguanacaste:
Coopeguanacaste, R.L. is a rural electrification cooperative that provides energy and telecommunications services in the Guanacaste province. Its involvement helps the program reach communities in this key region of Costa Rica.
For further information, visit sanfordhealth.org
About Sanford Health:
Sanford Health is one of the largest health systems in the United States, operating hospitals and clinics globally. Its international division collaborates on healthcare initiatives worldwide, bringing global health expertise and support to programs like Ya es Hora.
For further information, visit aboutamazon.com
About Amazon:
Amazon is a global technology company with operations in e-commerce, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. The company’s branch in Costa Rica supports local community and social initiatives as part of its global corporate citizenship efforts.
For further information, visit gutis.com
About Gutis:
Gutis is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and manufacturing of medical products. Headquartered in Costa Rica, it plays an important role in the national healthcare industry and supports public health initiatives.
For further information, visit fifco.com
About FIFCO:
Florida Ice and Farm Company (FIFCO) is a Costa Rican beverage and food company with a strong focus on sustainability and social responsibility. The company operates under a “triple bottom line” strategy, aiming to create value for its shareholders, society, and the environment.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is founded upon the dual principles of principled practice and professional distinction. The firm channels its extensive experience into pioneering forward-thinking legal solutions for a diverse clientele while upholding a deep-rooted commitment to social progress. This is demonstrated through its dedication to democratizing legal knowledge, aiming to empower individuals and strengthen the foundations of a well-informed civil society.
