July 25, 2019

Sanford Health has acquired a minority equity stake in a health care company in Costa Rica.

Hospital Metropolitano, a member of the Montecristo Group Health Area, is one of the fastest-growing private health care organizations in Costa Rica. Founded in 2010, its stated mission is to provide high-value care with affordable cost for middle-income families.

The Costa Rican health system operates hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, dental offices and a health membership plan.

In January 2018, Sanford Health and Hospital Metropolitano signed a cooperation agreement to share information on operational activities, training and best practices.

Now, Sanford has a stake in the holding company, with the hope of opening more facilities, expanding services and providing additional training for medical personnel.

“Sanford World Clinic brings the opportunity for shared learning and innovation in health care delivery to regions around the globe through innovative partners like Hospital Metropolitano in Costa Rica,” said Dr. Dan Blue, president of Sanford World Clinic.

Sanford Health’s international health care arm is in nine countries with more than 80 locations.

Each partnership is unique in terms of scope of service and type of agreement. The focus of the collaborations range from primary and pediatric care to research and health system operations.

“We are very pleased to consolidate our business relationship as Sanford is one of the largest groups in United States’ medical area in the business of hospitals, clinics and everything related to health. The agreement with Sanford allows them to replicate their successful services for our patients in Costa Rica,” said Francis Durman, CEO of the Montecristo Group Health Area.

The Hospital Metropolitano network includes two hospitals, seven satellite clinics, 23 clinics of corporate medicine, 16 clinical laboratories, three dental clinics, a series of pharmacies and two centers of excellence for cancer care and mental health care.