LOCATIONS:
	History and Founders
	Our Mission/Our Vision
	Testimonials
	Procedures
	Medical Staff
	International Client Services
	Costa Rica and Location

History and Founders

In 1921 a project sponsored by the Latino-American Mission was initiated. Missionaries from various nations arrived in Costa Rica to provide assistance to those in greatest need. Joining this noble effort were Enrique Strachan, of Scottish nationality, and his spouse Susan Strachan. The couple had previously spent 17 years serving as Evangelic missionaries in Argentina.

Upon their arrival in Costa Rica, both were touched and concerned by the deplorable state of the local health system. Their main preoccupation became the care of children. The Strachans found life expectancy startling; of 1,000 children born each year, 350 would perish. Fifty percent would lose their lives before the age of five. Malnutrition and abandonment constituted the main problems during the period of infancy. Additionally, the only hospital in existence, the San Juan de Dios, could only care for a portion of the ill or suffering. At this time, the general life expectancy was forty years of age. Diseases like tuberculosis and malaria were common.

Facing this desolating scene, the Strachans decided to help those most in need, the poor and especially the children. They dedicated themselves to providing free medical services to the needy and founded the Clínica Bíblica (Biblical Clinic) Hospital under the administration of the Latin American Mission. The original idea was to create a pediatric centre. In time, the need for a maternity ward and surgical clinic became evident. The Strachans took this as a challenge and were able to build a maternity ward, surgical section and nursing school.

By 1968 the country had made important advances in national health. Infant mortality had dropped considerably. The nurses were trained with high professional standards and there were special quality programs to provide maternity care and post-surgical treatment. There was also a network of good hospitals associated to the Caja Costarricense Del Seguro Social including Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia Hospital and Mexico Hospital.

In this new and quite flattering context, the Latin American Mission concluded that its job in Costa Rica was complete. The association gave consideration to moving forward to assist other nations where the need was greater. On the other hand, the Mission did not have the financial resources to continue its humanitarian work. This initiative may have led to closure of Clinica Biblica Hospital which, up to that time, had been supported by external help. The hospital offered large installations, good medical personnel and excellent technical equipment. Nevertheless, without economic help, it could not continue working.

Considering the difficult situation, a group of entrepreneurs from the evangelic sector, represented by Eng. Enrique Cabezas, asked to ask the Mission to allow them to form an association to administer the hospital. David Howard, in the name of the Latin American Mission, accepted the proposal. On July 14 1929, the Asociación de Servicios Médicos Costarricense (ASEMECO) was constituted.

The associates of ASEMECO agreed to continue the original purpose of the Clínica Bíblica and ratify its intention to provide assistance to the most in need. As it was to be self-financed, ASEMECO had to sell its services to those who could pay and, with these profits, continue servicing low-income families.

Currently, the Social Action Plan of the Clínica Bíblica Hospital is the cornerstone of the ASEMECO charter. One-third of the total profits of the Clínica Bíblica Hospital are destined for Social Action.