Created in 1941, the mission of the CCSS is to provide health care services in an integral form to the individual, the family and the community and to provide economic, social and retirement protection to the Costa Rican population in accordance to the current legislation (CCSS, 2014). Directed by health boards, the CCSS is made up of health establishments organised functionally by three levels of care (primary, secondary and tertiary') and geographically by seven regions within the three service networks in the country (the southern network, the western network and the northeastern network). Interrelated, they are intended to form networks that are articulated both vertically and horizontally and satisfy the health care needs and demands of the Costa Rican population.