FIMRC Costa Rica transforms access to healthcare in vulnerable communities

By Flor Monestel

“When we started the medical care project, we encountered cases of children with parasites in their genitals due to lack of hygiene and severe malnutrition,” describes Dayan Alvarado, operations manager of FIMRC Costa Rica, regarding the beginning of their work in the most vulnerable neighborhoods of Alajuelita, in the southern part of Costa Rica’s capital.

With a direct impact on a population of 11,000 inhabitants, FIMRC Costa Rica aims to improve the quality of life of low-income and even extremely poor individuals. Approximately 350 patients, both nationals and foreigners, are treated monthly, from Monday to Friday, without requiring health insurance.

“Today, we witness how a health education process can transform people’s care and well-being, becoming a collective culture where people care for one another. We grew alongside the communities and have learned about their lifestyle and socioeconomic conditions, so it is gratifying to know that our contribution goes beyond a simple medical consultation,” says Alvarado.

According to demographic projections from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) for 2024, Alajuelita consists of 99,629 inhabitants and is one of the most populated cantons in the country. Areas such as El Jazmín, La Morocha, Monte Alto, and 11 other vulnerable areas are part of the FIMRC Costa Rica network.

Financing for free access

The organization’s only income comes from its volunteer program, through which Health Sciences students from the United States complete a one-week in-person internship in Costa Rica.

This provides students with a global perspective on how hospital systems function in other countries, the general behavior of a society, and the country’s context, raising awareness about their work as future doctors.

However, the pandemic negatively impacted the organization due to the reduced number of students, leading to a significant financial reduction. Psychological consultations were reduced to once a week, the purchase of medicines focused on the most common diseases, and the payment of utilities, rent, and salaries became a financial challenge.

For Alvarado, the key to success in the 20 years of operation is “the quality of the services we provide, despite the scarcity of resources. We see the person, not the patient, understanding what is behind their situation and how we can best help them, within our conditions.”

Collaborative work for an integral approach

FIMRC Costa Rica has 5 staff members: 1 operations manager, 1 general physician, 1 psychologist, 1 student residency manager, and 1 person responsible for maintenance and cleaning. The organization is strategically located in the San Felipe district of Alajuelita, a central point to connect with various communities.

Despite the challenges they face in aiming for maximum coverage, they have successfully established various activities, with four main ones standing out:

1. Volunteer program: the organization has agreements with several U.S. universities, whereby Health Sciences students pay to be part of FIMRC Costa Rica for one week in person, earning full credits in courses like Community Health or other related subjects.

The program’s tuition fee is much lower than what students would pay if they took the course in their home country. It includes transportation, meals, and accommodation, making profitability limited.

During their stay, participants attend medical consultations with Dr. Andrés Jiménez, a general physician, and Dr. Lilly Pochet, a psychologist, performing basic medical tasks like taking vital signs. They also help with other activities organized according to their skills and the program’s focus. It is important to note that they contribute voluntarily.

2. Basic primary medicine: led by Dr. Jiménez and assisted by volunteers. Patients attend basic and follow-up medical consultations for their various conditions; if further attention is required, they are referred to the national hospital network.

In addition to foreign students, there is space for local students who need to complete their University Community Work (TCU), primarily with minors.

Medications are acquired through donations from pharmacies in Alajuelita, students, the general public, and direct purchases. All are original, over-the-counter, and in suitable condition.

3. Mobile clinics: held periodically and for one week. The focus is on Alajuelita’s communities, but tours have also been organized to the provinces of Limón and Puntarenas.

Foreign and local students assist in these clinics. The organization’s own data indicates that about 100 people are treated during those days, adding up to 2,000 patients annually.

4. Education for well-being: focuses on building knowledge about diseases, medical treatments, medications, basic care, psychological processes, and reproductive health. The programs are aimed at populations like individuals with Down syndrome, women victims of various types of violence, people with disabilities, and the general public.

FIMRC Costa Rica was founded in the country by Dr. Vikram D. Bakhru, an Indian-origin medical student in the United States at the time. During a visit to the country, he learned about the work of NGOs, and the health sector’s needs, and opportunities. With its creation, he brought together a small group of collaborators, including a general physician and an operations manager, who launched the project.

If you are interested in contacting FIMRC Costa Rica, you can do so via the following channels:

• Facebook: FIMRC Costa Rica
• E-mail: operations.cr@fimrc.org
• Phone: +506 8353 5641