Escalante Pradilla Hospital in Perez Zeledon
Authorities in hospitals across the country, especially in areas located far from the capital, are hard pressed for the arrival of new medical specialists. The wait is due to the fact that only 41 of 124 doctors have signed three year contracts with the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) through which they will work for three years as payment for their training as specialists.
At the Hospital La Anexión de Nicoya there is only one part time doctor of ophthalmology. There are 900 patients who are waiting to receive a specialist evaluation for possible surgery.
In Limon, there are shortages of specialists in just about every area. The situation is so bad that it puts the health of residents at risk.
The CCSS announced Friday that doctors who received training and do not sign the work contract will be charged ¢4 million.