ITIC Americas: An introduction to the Colombian healthcare system

Beginning with an introduction to ANDI, Carlos Eduardo Jurado Moncayo Executive Director – Health Chamber, National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI) explained that the chamber represents 183 members that comprises 31 per cent of the health sector of Colombia – only representing the private sector

It has over 30 members, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories and home care institutions. The goal is to promote the growth of hospitals and clinics in international scenarios and guarantee the financial sustainability of the sector through the public-private partnership to promote specialised medical services to the international community.

Moving on, Carlos discussed the primary health indicators of Colombia, including universal health insurance coverage from the government in its different forms – whether subsidised or not. With more than 58,000 beds, the country saw a recent boost in the number of ICU beds due to pandemic.

Competitive advantages for the Colombian healthcare sector include recent national investment in technology and infrastructure, doctors with international qualifications, and high quality standards

The performance of the country’s medical tourism sector is boosted through a variety of popular treatment services, including curative and preventive medicine, cosmetic treatments, inspired wellness and more. Furthermore, development of the sector has been supported by ongoing progress in electronic medical services such as telemedicine, and a close alliance between hospitals in Colombia and those in other countries.  It is currently first in Latin America and holds 10th place in the Medical Tourism Index, according to the Medical Tourism Association. There are 26 Colombian clinics and hospitals included among the 61 best in Latin America in 2021, with five accredited by Joint Commission International.

Competitive advantages for the Colombian healthcare sector include recent national investment in technology and infrastructure, doctors with international qualifications who have studied and worked in different countries, and high quality standards. All of these have been further supported and developed by an increasing amount of foreign direct investment in the country’s health sector, with international firms like United Healthcare, QuironSalud and Khiron Life Science Corp in Canada, which has opened the first clinic for the treatment of medical cannabis in Colombia.