Costa Rica awards contract to rebuild Cartago hospital despite govt opposition

After months of delays and despite the opposition of President Rodrigo Chaves, the board of Costa Rica’s social security authority CCSS awarded on Wednesday the contract to reconstruct the Cartago hospital near capital San José. 

Four groups participated in the bidding process, namely Constructora Van Der Laat y Jiménez, Edica HMPJ, Edificar-Estructuras 2022 and Promotora y Desarrolladora Mexicana de Infraestructura, which was the winner. 

Government representatives on the board requested the bidding process be declared void as the designated construction site “is not adequate for the construction of a safe hospital,” said health minister Mary Munive, according to news outlet Delfino. 

The minister presented a last-minute report drawn up by the ministry supporting her view but it was rejected by the board. 

The largest construction project ever carried out by CCSS will include six buildings with capacity to house 457 beds, 33 medical specializations, a pharmacy, labs, chemotherapy and administrative areas, among others.

Capex was put at US$314mn for construction, equipment and maintenance.  

The government representatives proposed presenting five alternative construction sites that comply with all requirements within the next three months, but the proposal was also rejected.