31 March 2020 – Public-Private Initiative formed to produce PPE and medical equipment

Type of Intervention: Specific Action
Sectors Involved: Finance/Economy, Private Sector, Research and Development, Supply Chains
Intervention Categories: Legal and policy; New initiatives
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: Various (Ministry of Science and Technology, Private sector).

Overview: A public-private initiative was launched to produce protective equipment and supplies for health personnel in less time and cost. In coordination with the Ministry of Science and Technology, a group of manufacturing experts has been grouped under the name Colab .cr (Collaborative Design Costa Rica) with the objective of exploring options to achieve faster response times and lower costs in the local manufacture of waterproof gowns, surgical masks, mechanical ventilators, among other requirements. Proposals for efficient designs and fabrication are currently being made and all designs will go through a process of evaluation and approval by health authorities before being sent to manufacturing.
Full details here: https://www.presidencia.go.cr/comunicados/2020/03/promueven-iniciativa-publico-privada-para-producir-equipos-e-insumos-de-proteccion-a-personal-de-salud/

Other links: 1
Type of Justification: Advice of EXTERNAL group of non-academics (e.g. business or community leaders), Matching international efforts
Source of Evidence or Justification: National – other
Evidence/Justification: Private sector interest in collaborate with the crisis