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Cabinet officials

Costa Rica's Innovative Approach to COVID-19 Treatment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Costa Rica is leveraging its expertise in developing antivenoms for snakebites to create a coronavirus treatment, building on its experience with the Clodomiro Picado Institute (ICP), a leading manufacturer of snake antidotes in Central America. The ICP has been running clinical trials since September, injecting non-infectious coronavirus protein into horses to develop antibodies, which are then extracted from the horses' blood to create an injectable fluid for humans. This approach has been effective in treating snakebites and holds promise for treating COVID-19.

Key Takeaways:

  • Costa Rica's Clodomiro Picado Institute (ICP) is using its expertise in developing antivenoms for snakebites to create a coronavirus treatment based on horse antibodies.
  • The ICP has been running clinical trials since September, injecting non-infectious coronavirus protein into horses to develop antibodies, which are then extracted from the horses' blood to create an injectable fluid for humans.
  • Costa Rica is balancing quarantine measures with safeguarding the economy, particularly tourism, with a focus on inclusive and sustainable solutions.
  • The country has not restricted people's movements within its borders, but has put in place driving restrictions for vehicles other than public transportation.
  • Costa Rica's universal healthcare system, "Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social," is ranked as one of the top 20 public healthcare systems in the world and No. 1 in Latin America.
  • Costa Rica and Korea have discussed potential areas of cooperation in 5G communications networks, e-government, cybersecurity, and information and communication technologies.
  • Costa Rica has expressed gratitude to Korea for its support in the fight against the pandemic, including donations of masks, test kits, and medical equipment.

Statistics:

  • 100,000 vials of antivenom produced annually by the Clodomiro Picado Institute (ICP).
  • Costa Rica's healthcare system is ranked as the No. 1 in Latin America by the United Nations.
  • 20 public healthcare systems in the world ranked above Costa Rica's system.
  • 6 key areas of future cooperation between Costa Rica and Korea: 5G communications networks, e-government, cybersecurity, and information and communication technologies.

Sources:

  • The Korea Times
  • Smithsonian Magazine, September edition
  • United Nations
  • Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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