Geriatric Hospital Delay Deemed 'Cruel and Irresponsible'

The decision to delay the construction of a new geriatric hospital until 2038 is not just a bureaucratic misstep; it is a cruel, costly, and irresponsible act that demonstrates a profound lack of foresight and compassion. Alicia Avendaño Rivera, president of the Junta de Salud del Hospital Blanco Cervantes, has rightly condemned this postponement, highlighting the absurdity of such a delay when the necessary land acquisitions are largely settled. Thirteen of the sixteen properties required for the project have already had their valuations accepted, meaning the primary physical obstacle has been cleared.

This delay is particularly egregious given the current limitations of the hospital's emergency services, which operate on a restrictive schedule of Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. This limited availability is insufficient for a community that requires round-the-clock care, especially for its elderly population. The new geriatric hospital is not a luxury but a necessity, and its deferral speaks volumes about the current administration's priorities – or lack thereof.

From our perspective at La Nación, this situation underscores a systemic issue where essential public services, particularly those catering to the most vulnerable, are subject to inexplicable delays and questionable decision-making. While international news might focus on broader economic or political trends, here in Costa Rica, the immediate impact on citizens' well-being is palpable. The failure to act decisively on projects like the geriatric hospital leaves a tangible void in our healthcare system, a void that will only widen with such postponements. We demand accountability and a swift reconsideration of this detrimental decision.

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Cruel, costosa e irresponsable