National Business Association of Colombia leads the Colombian medical tourism strategy
Carlos Eduardo Jurado and Juan Felipe Santos shared updates on their efforts to make Colombia’s healthcare system attractive to international patients and payers
The National Business Association of Colombia – ANDI – is a non-profit organisation whose main purpose is to expand and promote economic, social and political principles within a free enterprise system, based upon beliefs that include human dignity, political democracy, social justice, private property and liberty. ANDI is currently the country’s most important non-profit organisation, with more than 1,500 members that between them represent between 50 and 55 per cent of the national gross domestic product. As a representative of the private sector’s interests, ANDI assumes the representation of its members before national and international institutions, dealing with economic, legal, social, environmental, and business issues.
Focus on public-private partnership opportunities
From the Healthcare Chamber, we lead a public-private partnership between ANDI, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia and Procolombia (Colombian promotion agency). Our focus is to position Colombia as a medical destination for people seeking specialised medicine, with the best international quality standards, world-class medical facilities, qualified medical staff, warm and friendly care, advanced technology, personalised service and high-quality infrastructure for international patients.
Our work plan is divided into the following chapters:
- Promotion of the healthcare sector in international scenarios
- Identify international events where we can promote the healthcare sector. Fairs, events, networking sessions, business conferences, etc.
- Participate as a speaker to highlight the national offer of specialised medicine to international insurers and governments
- Organise trade missions with insurers and governments
- Approach governments to support their needs around healthcare for their citizens. One example of this is our strategy to support the Netherlands Antilles to treat high-complexity patients and emergencies
- Create a digital strategy to show the Colombian healthcare services in online platform: www.colombiaturismodesalud.com.
Regulatory framework
- Actively work and plan with Ministers and local authorities to show the importance of the medical tourism sector and request their support, with requests matching patients’ needs
- Identify bottlenecks in the flow of international patients around Colombia; for example, facilitate the migration process
- Analyse legislation of the sector and support it with technical expertise of hospitals
- Research and clinical studies.
Hospitals can share their experiences on the treatment of international patients and their work with insurers
Training
- Organise training sessions with human resources personnel involved with international patient treatment
- Identify experts to give specialised talks to hospitals
- Create new capabilities to promote specialised health services
- Organise sessions to share experiences between hospitals in Colombia and the Latin American region.
Identify other opportunities for Colombian hospitals
- Create partnerships between hospitals and business associations in Latin America to share expertise
- Identify new opportunities in other countries for our hospitals, not only to boost the flow of international patients, but also for other supportive activities as training, specialised courses for physicians, second medical opinion concepts, participation in medical meetings, and identifying complementary of medical services, among others.
Organise an annual Congress to promote good practice in the medical tourism sector
- Hospitals can share their experiences on the treatment of international patients and their work with insurers
- Invite the Ministries of Commerce, Health Sector and international relations government departments.
The current work with Procolombia and ANDI has generated good results for Colombian clinics and hospitals, creating a strong international position and enhancing the promotion of the Colombian health sector.