Top Quality Bilingual Professionals Available
Good professional services in the health field is something that gives a greater feeling of security. Many Americans have retired and established themselves in this country for the strong reason of having such fine services available. Excellent healthcare is also given to children. In fact, the Costa Rica National Children's Hospital in San José is considered the best of its kind in all of Latin America. Heart, liver and kidney transplant operations are not uncommon there.
The death rate of children in Costa Rica is the lowest of Latin America. For adults the life expectancy averages 78 years which is just a little short of that of the United States and better than that of many of the top-rated European countries. A study published by the government in January 2002 reported there were 232 centenarians (95 men and 137women). From time to time I like to read the obituary column in La Nación and have noted that many of those listed were in their 80s and quite a few in their 90s.
Why the longevity of Costa Rican citizens? A study released in May 2001 by the National Statistics and Census Institute (lNEC) attributed this longevity not to biological or genetic factors but to the country's excellent healthcare system initiated in the early 1940s. Greater emphasis is now being given to health prevention as a means of reducing illness. Another factor which has helped bring about longevity has been the country's good distribution system of public services, wealth, education, housing and nutrition. All this has resulted in giving the country an image of well-being which has induced many to seek it as a place in which to live.
In November 1999, the very modern Cima Hospital was inaugurated in the Escazú - Guachipelin area west of San Jose. Privately owned and affiliated with the Baylor University Medical Center of DalIas, it offers the latest medical services in the specialties of greatest demand. The Clíinica Biblica in San José was founded in 1929 and the Clínica Católica (administered by nuns) in 1954. These as well as many other facilities offer the best of health services.
An expatriate retiree in Costa Rica will feel tranquil knowing that he will have no difficulty obtaining the best that medical care can offer. It's one of the greatest assets that the country can offer him. In medicine, whether you seek the conventional or alternative type, only you know which you prefer. A doctor of conventional or internal medicine can handle your long-term primary care and suggest specialists where necessary.
On the other hand, if you prefer alternative medicine I suggest you try to get some advice from a conventional doctor for referrals. Or perhaps a friend of yours can suggest a good one. It's a good thing to find the best alternative medicine practitioner and not fall in the hands of an inexperienced one. Beware of quacks. They can be costly and dangerous.
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