The two surgical rooms were closed down by the Ministry of Health on June 6th since they had problems with the air conditioning and rusted equipment. They were inactive for five months and required an investment of more than 100 million colones ($200,000). 

Li Kam said that during the time that the rooms were closed, patients were sent to the operating rooms of the hospital in Liberia and in Cañas, but it will no longer be necessary to transfer patients.

“The motive of the closure was that the two air conditioners had finished their usefulness and were no longer functioning as they should be. In addition the ceiling and floor, as well as some cabinet drawers were deteriorated, so the closure was inevitable and we had to condition a hall as an operating room to attend to emergency cases there such as unscheduled cesareans and others, and any other surgeries had to be performed by our staff in the Enrique Baltodano of Liberia and in Cañas. There they did a little more than 100 operations,” related Li Kam. 

To solve the problem, three air conditioners were brought from San Vicente de Paul hospital in Heredia, and support was given by the Gerencias de Infraestructura y Medica (Medical and Infrastructure Managers).

More Regional News

Increase in Crime with Return of Tourists

During the first 15 days of November, the beginning of tourist season, the tourist police reported an increase in the number of crimes against property. At the same time, Jeison Vargas, tourist police chief in Guiones, assured that this is what the tourist police are here for and that they are visiting the area businesses every day.

Costa Rica Scores More or Less On Corruption Index

Costa Rica ranks 48th in Transparency International’s 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) which measures perceived public sector corruption in 176 countries. Costa Rica’s score in the 2012 survey is 54 on a scale of 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean).

Thieves Steal Boat Engine in Garza

On the morning of Monday, November 19th, Juan Rafael Hernandez Salguera (known as Juan Mora) of Garza received a phone call that his boat was missing. The anchor had been cut.

Archeologists Didn’t Find Indian Remains in Front of Colonial Church

Nicoyans have expressed divided opinions over the construction of a new plaza in front of the Colonial Church. One of the concerns manifested by some is about the existence of indigenous remains en the area where they are moving earth. 

Water May Cause Illnesses in Nosara Schoolchildren

On November16th, Serapio López School filed a complaint with the Ministry of Health after several children had health problems, apparently caused by water consumption in their facilities.