CCSS Ordered To Offer Better Medical Attention to Patients
Waiting for up to a year to be treated at a hospital run by the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS) - the Caja - is nothing new to many Costa Ricans. And being turned away at the Caja pharmacies because your medication is not in today is a common practice.

Now the Sala Constitucional or Sala IV has stepped in with four rulings that order the Caja to expedite medical care to patients.

The first order for the Caja is better plan the medical centres so that there is adequate medication for patients needs and requirements.

The other orders deal with medical attention given to patients, especially to heart patients who require surgery and delays place the patients life at greater risk. Some patients have been forced to wait for months for needed heart surgery, further aggravating their condition.

Cancer patients will also benefit from the Sala IV ruling, ordering the Caja to attend promptly cancer patients who are need of radiotherapy and to purchase new equipment to better treat them.

The ruling stems from four separate Recursos de Amparos - Appeals - by four Caja patients who have complained of poor medical attention and treatment at CCSS hospitals.

Dr. Alberto Sáenz, executive director of the CCSS, said that the Caja has not yet been notified of the Sala IV ruling. "It seems that the Sala IV has the same intent as we do, to better patient care. I hope they (Sala IV) have included the necessary resources needed...", said Dr. Saenz yesterday.

Dr. Saenz added that once they get formal notification of the ruling, the CCSS will offer a detailed response on the matter.