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Nicoya Doctors Protest Against On Duty and Shift Cuts

By Oliver Pérez

Nicoya’s medical center is taking steps to reduce costs and the emergency department was the first to be affected. There, medical work-hours and calls have been cut back during weekends and holidays, as is confirmed in a statement sent by hospital director, Juan José Li Kam, and signed by 22 physicians.

Funds intended to cover on-call shifts and overtime for non-medical staff at La Anexión Hospital will last through September only. Attending physician, Ricardo Guerrero Ureña, reported that as a result of this measure, on August 4th, after being on duty in the Emergency Department physician Hugo Delgado was called to work in the Internal Medicine Department from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. “He was assigned to make rounds after being the on-call internist. During that time, a year and a half old girl came to the Emergency Room with near-drowning syndrome while two urgent C-sections where also taking place. It is clearly wrong to remove an ER physician, increasing the burden on other doctors,” affirmed Guerrero. On August 16th, 22 doctors gave Medical Director, Dr. Li Kam, an ultimatum, announcing that they would suspend on duty shifts, medical calls and overtime themselves, until the budget is guaranteed for the rest of the year. In addition, they are demanding that the payment of overtime and on duty hours is not cut out of the 2013 budget. In the statement presented by physicians, they are also demanding that five doctors should remain at all times in 24-hour duty. Doctors are calling on the community to attend a forum that will be held on September 1st at the Coopealianza building, where they will explain the hospital’s current situation. Meanwhile, Dr. Anner Angulo Leiva, Regional Health Services Director for the Chorotega area, explained that the Institution has been reviewing each hospital’s budget, as well as the outcomes and work results for each shift.

“When analyzing each doctor’s productivity per hour we’ve noticed that during the third shift at this hospital (La Anexion), which runs from 10 pm to 7 am, this indicator shows very low performance,” stated Angulo.

According to the Regional Director, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social’s (CCSS – Costa Rican Social Security) Internal Audit Department is analyzing the hospital’s current situation and so far, technical studies indicate that a doctor should be removed from the third shift.

The VON tried to contact Medical Director, Juan José Li Kam, but was told at his office that he would not be at the hospital on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cutbacks
In April the Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos (College of Physicians and Surgeons) reported that in 20 of the country’s hospitals budget cuts exceed ¢14,000 million colones, among them Nicoya’s Hospital.
Anner Angulo explained that the Caja has decided to cutback on extra hours for all hospital staff members.

“We are making sure that extra hours and overtime go in accordance with the required productivity and have a reason for being. Public interest should prevail personal interests, which is why we are calling on health professionals. The CCSS seeks to ensure services provided both in the present and future, which is why we are meticulously reviewing the services rendered to the population,” affirmed Angulo.

More Regional News

RAASA In Charge of Maintenance Works on Nosara – Samara Route 160
Company will start works next week, these will continue until the end of the year

Constructora RAASA will be in charge of maintenance works on Route 160 between Samara and Nosara. These will start next week and will last until December 2012.

National Registry Launches New Website
Site offers consultations and free certificates

Long lines to request a certificate or to check on your property’s status are a thing of the past. Now all these things are just a click away, by visiting the website rnpdigital.com

Tips to Protect Your Laptop from Thieves

Proper preparations prevent poor performance, and keeping tabs on your coveted PC or Mac laptop, and the information inside it, should be at the top of the list of preparations whether here in Costa Rica or abroad.

Legislators Negotiate Consensus for Coastal Territories Law Project
Law Would Not Include Protected Areas Except for Ostional Refuge

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New Liquor Law with ¢180.000 Fine For Drinking In The Street

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El Niño Strikes Again, Causing High Tides and One of the Driest “Rainy” Seasons Ever

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Despite Efforts to Help the Elderly, Abuses Continue

La region of the Peninsula of Nicoya stands out for having the largest number of longest-living inhabitants in the entire country, and during the annexation celebrations on July 25th, nine of the oldest adults in the canton, five of whom are more than 100, received recognition from President Chinchilla.

Santo Domingo ASADA is Low on Water and Overdue for Elections
– Family Denounces ASADA for Not Granting Water Access
– PanAmerican Woods In Process of Donating Well Rights to the Town

In the mountains above Samara, the Santo Domingo ASADA (Water Administration Association) has been facing the challenge of how to administer water to approximately 150 inhabitants when the town’s one water source is insufficient, prompting the Diaz family to denounce the ASADA and turning the spotlight on PanAmerican Woods.

Pictures and News of the Month

The Voice of Nosara brings you a brief recap of July stories you might have missed.

Nicoya Municipality Ranks 65th Nationally
– Nicoyan Mayor Affirms that Rating Doesn’t Reflect Reality
– Councilmember Acknowledges Room for Improvement

The Municipality of Nicoya dropped from 55th place nationally in 2010 to 65th place in 2011 in the results of the Municipal Management Index (IGM), which evaluates the management performed by a total of 88 local governments during the year.

Controller Won’t Penalize Nicoyan Auditor for Alleged Tax Evasion
Comptroller’s Organ Affirms that Proceeding Didn’t Meet Current Regulations

The Controller General of the Republic decided not to penalize the current auditor of the Municipality of Nicoya, Gilberto Lizano Elizondo, for alleged tax evasion as it was determined that the disciplinary proceeding didn’t fulfill the requirements of due process.

Poor Families Finally Have Homes in Santa Martha

Sixteen years after the land was bought, six houses have finally been built for poor families in Santa Martha and paperwork is in process for four to six more houses.

Robbery Rises in Nicoya Canton While Decreasing in San Jose

“In the last two years, Costa Rica was the only Latin American country that reduced the crime indexes,” the Presidential House posted on Facebook on Friday, July 20th.