Palliative Care Services Expand in Costa Rica and Argentina

In Costa Rica, the Clínica de Control del Dolor y Cuidados Paliativos del Área de Salud Naranjo reported providing multidisciplinary palliative and pain‑relief care to 959 patients in 2026. The team, led by Dr. Hailen Acuña Corrales, offers medical, nursing, psychological, social‑work and pharmacy support, including home visits for more than 130 patients, and stresses holistic relief for patients and families.

In Argentina, a municipal hospital launched a new palliative‑care unit operating on the first and third Saturdays of each month, in line with Law 27.678 that guarantees comprehensive care. Dr. Itatí Pérez Cosimano highlighted the interdisciplinary approach—medicine, nursing, psychology and social work—to alleviate severe symptoms, especially pain affecting 80% of oncology patients. The service, which currently reaches only about 14% of those in need, will coordinate with oncology, pathology, nephrology and other specialties to support patients and families early in disease progression.