The debate on the reform of the health system in Colombia continues to advance in Congress with a proposal that was the subject of multiple adjustments and consensus. On this occasion, the Minister of Health, Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo, and the Minister of the Interior, Juan Fernando Cristo, came out to defend the initiative, highlighting its innovative nature and the importance of reaching an agreement in the Senate to address the structural crisis it faces. the sector.
One of the aspects most highlighted by the defenders of the reform is the fact that, Unlike previous attempts, this project has a financial guarantee from the Ministry of Finance, which gives greater viability in its implementation. This was one of the main criticisms received in the past, when it was pointed out that clear economic support was lacking.
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Jaramillo pointed out that “we have reduced this project to 48 articles. It has to do with the objective and application through a model that, as we have said, is preventive, predictive and decisive based on primary care.” In this way, the minister presented a more concise version, facilitating its discussion in the corresponding legislative bodies.
One of the innovations of the project are the Primary Care Centers (CAP), which will be focused on improving hospital infrastructureespecially in the most remote municipalities of the country, where coverage is historically limited. This approach aims to bring health services closer to the most vulnerable communities and reduce the access barriers that currently exist in rural areas.
In addition, Minister Jaramillo emphasized the need to train health personnel and increase the number of scholarships so that professionals can continue specializing. The idea is to strengthen the capacity of medical personnel in all regions, allowing a better response to the country’s health needs. The minister was clear that this is a fundamental step to improve health care nationwide.
For its part, Juan Fernando Cristo also defended the reform, pointing out that it is a proposal that will allow the active participation of all actors in the system, including workers, EPS and the Government, working together with the Seventh Commission. “It allows all the actors in the system, workers, EPS, each and every one of whom you represent, to work with the Seventh Commission and with the national government,” explained the Minister of the Interior.
Cristo also defended the depth of the debate that the reform sparked, ensuring that its importance is evident precisely because of the level of discussion it generated. “I am not at all scared by the intense debate that has been generated around this health reform. If it were not important, it would have been a routine procedure,” he stated, recognizing that structural changes in the health system require a thorough analysis by legislators.
The Minister of the Interior also compared this process with the pension reform, highlighting that the modifications that said proposal underwent during its passage through Congress made it more robust and appropriate to the needs of the country. In the case of the health reform, he assured that it was “enriched and improved with the debate” and that the Government is willing to continue discussing with all the sectors involved.
“This health reform is very different from the one that came in a year and a half ago. It has to be sustainable so that it lasts over time and is not just temporary,” Cristo added, highlighting the importance of guaranteeing that the changes last. Both ministers concluded by calling on Congress to continue the discussion in a transparent manner and achieve a consensus that allows the country to move towards a more equitable and accessible health system for all citizens, regardless of their place of residence.