According to Social Security authorities, a complaint was filed at the Public Ministry this week, of a possible case of negligence that may have caused the death of a patient.

According to the complaint, a patient surnamed Castro-Calvo went to the Public Hospital in Alajuela* to be treated in the emergency room. In the hospital, a doctor checked the patient over and considered his health problem not to be a serious one. The patient was then referred to a local clinic, known as Ebais.

According to the Social Security authorities, the case is being investigated. Because there is also a complaint in the Public Ministry, no further information can be given on this case, until the investigation is resolved.

At a press conference, the Social Security authorities requested the workers return to work and give priority to assisting patients.

According to the most recent Social Security report about the effects of the three-day union strike, "42,943 medical consultations have not been carried out during the three days of the strike," said authorities.

"The greatest impact on patient care is for those who require surgery," said Social Security in its statement. "During the three days of the strike 1,119 surgeries were not completed."

According to the authorities, on Wednesday only "68 operations were performed and those were mainly emergency care or procedures that could not wait," they said.

As A.M. Costa Rica has been reporting, Social Security Union, known as Undeca has been on strike since Monday and may continue until Friday.

The president of the Social Security Román Macaya-Hayes said one of the reasons union members went on strike is due to false news that the institution would be privatized in the near future. "Nobody is privatizing Social Security," said Macaya.

Another false statement is regarding changes in the form of salary payment to employees. "The form of salary payment has not changed," said Macaya-Hayes.

According to the union, they are protesting mainly against bill No. 21.097, which seeks to establish a list of essential public services, including medical services, in which employees' right to strike may be limited or restricted.

The union is also protesting against "the government, political parties, and deputies that have been promoting the privatization of the Social Security, due to business interests," said union in its statement.

Unions are also protesting about the General Concessions Law "that allows privatization in the administration of health centers," they said in their statement.

The institution authorities report 11,283 employees are on strike, which is equivalent to 20 percent of the total number of Social Security employees.