OIJ Raids Hospital CIMA; Explanations Pending

According to both the Judicial Branch and Hospital CIMA, agents of the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) searched the hospital Nov. 24 as part of an ongoing investigation. However, neither organization had offered much more information by press time.

The hospital, in the western San José suburb of Escazú, took out a full-page ad in the daily La Nación Nov. 26 to state, among other things, that hospital staff would not make any further comments to the press. The ad, which emphasizes the hospital is cooperating with all OIJ efforts, explained that the agents’ “visit” is related to a dispute between two of the hospital’s more than 1,000 shareholders.

Judicial Branch spokeswoman Sandra Castro confirmed this, adding that the investigation is being conducted by the Prosecutor’s Office in Pavas, in western San José, and that no one has been detained or charged. She said no further information on the investigation is available to the press.