#WorldinTurmoil: Prioritize Primary Healthcare, Public Health, & Collaboration with Communities: Lessons from Costa Rica & the Pandemic

Few countries can be proud of having comprehensive primary healthcare. One of these countries is Costa Rica. Costa Rica is an example of political commitment and strong leadership. It is a country that has put public health as a priority, and the investments and efforts that the government has made over the last 25 years have borne fruit, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr María del Rocío Sáenz Madrigal, who was Minister of Health in Costa Rica from 2002 until 2006, is interviewed by Prof. Bettina Borisch, Executive Director of the WFPHA, and talks about how the pandemic showed and exacerbated inequalities, especially for women, in Latin America, measures implemented by Costa Rica, and what it takes to have a strong public health system.

By clicking on the link below, you can read the article on the Croakey Health Media website.

Watch the interview by clicking on the link below.

This article is published as part of the #WorldinTurmoil series.

Interview