María del Rocío Sáenz Madrigal, executive president of the country’s social security agency (CCSS), noted that Costa Rica’s health care system stands out for its provision of pain management, saying it is, “one of the few countries that provides palliative support to the population that is in terminal phase or that has chronic pain,” said Saénz.

Her observations come as the new headquarters of the National Center for Pain Control and Palliative Care readies to open the first week of August, said director of the institution, Isaías Salas Herrera.

Saénz said the CCSS’s strategic plan includes strengthening palliative care, and soon a clinic in Oreamuno, Cartago will be added to the country’s network of 52 pain management clinics in different parts of the country. These clinics, which provide an estimate 18 thousand consultations per year, will be strengthened and improved as part of the CCSS future plans.

 

The new site, located near the Calderón Guardia Hospital in the Aranjuez neighborhood of San José will be 5,500 square meters and employ a staff of about 140. The main palliative care center will provide day services focused on improving patients’ quality of life, nutrition, and also offer support groups for grief management, said Salas.

The new facility will  have 10 beds for the care of critical cases to allow for screening and stabilizing patients and then assigning them to other medical centers if required. It will offer services from Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 pm, said Salas, who is awaiting approval for an additional extended schedule that would be run on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.

The pain control and palliative care program has been active in the country since 1991. Services are provided in both institutional settings and in people’s homes.

The next sites designated for the CCSS to establish pain management clinics include La Cruz, Matina, and Chomes, said Saénz.