ACADEMIC ESSAY ON THE HEALTH SYSTEM OF COLOMBIA: FROM PUBLIC HEALTH PLANNING TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Colombia is located in South America and the capital is the city of Bogotá. With more than 50 million inhabitants, it presents one of the most well-established health systems in South America and well-respected in the world, but in practice it presents many challenges. Health spending corresponds to approximately 17% of the budget project and 3.9% of GDP. Likewise, there are still failures and complaints in the provision of services. There is a permanent tension between payers and providers. Better regulation and more effective supervision of the public and private actors that participate in the system continue to be fundamental challenges. In April 2020, health coverage covered 95% of the Colombian population, with 43% associated with the contributory system, aimed at formal workers in the sector and their families or populations with the ability to pay. Meanwhile, the Colombian health system faces a crisis of financial sustainability and, considering the inherent pressure for innovation in the health area, the Colombian government develops regulatory mechanisms to control the cost of medicines, focusing on setting their prices. prices and, more recently, in centralized negotiations. and shopping.