Health services for everyone: the case of Costa Rica
Pereira, M.G.
Boletin de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Pan American Sanitary Bureau 101(1): 58-74
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-0632 PMID: 2942152 Document Number: 285560
At the beginning of the decade of 1970-1979 health services in Costa Rica were well developed in the towns, but the rural population was still unserved. It was estimated that minimal services were available in no more than 20% of the countryside. By the end of the decade this proportion had grown to more than 90%, and the health indicators for the country pointed to an exceptional situation, with infant mortality at 22.3 deaths per 1000 live births and a life expectancy at birth of 73 years. During this period a great number of health posts were built in rural areas, and in the cities the work of the health centers was directed at the identification of areas of greatest risk- the areas of community health-on which extramural efforts converged. Hundreds of education and nutrition centers were set up throughout the country. All these units helped give momentum to primary health care, with concern both for individuals and for protection of the environment; socially appropriate technology were used, with emphasis on the full use of auxiliary staff to make house calls, and encouragement to the population to participate. Even though rising economic difficulties may reduce the flow of resources to the social area and the primary care structure, the already attained levels of morbidity, mortality, vaccination coverage and use of services indicate that the strategy adopted must be maintained.