Healthcare advancements in Costa Rica and Panama

The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has announced an investment of ₡228 billion for the purchase of pharmaceuticals in 2026. This initiative aims to prevent the suspension of surgeries and ensure continuous access to high-complexity therapies and medical devices across the country. The funding is supported by $117.2 million in savings accumulated between 2021 and 2025 through improved price negotiations and consolidated demand for high-cost drugs.

In Panama, the Social Security Fund (CSS) is expanding its robotic telesurgery program to provincial regions. The initiative seeks to decentralize specialized medical care, reducing the need for patients to travel to Panama City for complex procedures. The program will launch in the Chiriquí province, focusing initially on oncology, before expanding to general surgeries such as gallbladder and hernia operations. The CSS plans to subsequently integrate the Hospital Dr. Gustavo Nelson Collado in Herrera province into this technological model.