Even with some dissatisfaction concerning health, Colombia is one of the Latin American countries with the greatest coverage in this regard, reaching more than 80% of the population with its social works (public health system).
Colombia's medical system is one of the best in Latin America and is respected internationally. Doctors have an excellent education in Colombia and it is very common for them to receive at least part of their training in the United States.
The Colombian health system is a fundamental part of the Colombian Social Security System, which has the government of this nation as a regulator, reporting directly to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
It consists of two sectors that coexist in favor of the health of all Colombians. One of them is the subsidized regime, which corresponds to what is free, while the counterpart is the contributory regime, which corresponds to private health.
Colombia has a health system stemming from the drug trafficking crisis observed between 1991 and 1993. The 1991 Constitution incorporated the rule of law and guaranteed universal access to social security. Today there are 3,620 hospitals and clinics in Colombia, with a total of 74,082 beds. Statistics reveal that 75% of hospitals in Colombia are public, and the rest are private. The 1991 constitution incorporated the rule of social law and guaranteed universal access to social security.
In larger cities, such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, the coverage of local health systems is almost 95%, but in rural areas, this figure is much lower. Delivery to rural areas, the poorest, and the self-employed have been carried out dramatically.
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FOSYGA - What it is and how it works
When we speak about FOSYGA (Solidarity and Guarantee Fund), we are referring to the entity in charge of promoting the benefits of the Social Security and Health System to the entire population of Colombia. Its objective is to completely cover the expenses that Colombian citizens have on health, thus reflecting the large percentage of the population that has free medical care in this country.
This fund depends on the Colombian Government's Ministry of Social Protection and its administration, although other entities that provide health services also share this role, intending to optimize the State's resources.
Since mid-2017, this fund has been called ADRES, whose initials correspond to the Administrator of Resources of the General System of Social Security in Health (SGSSS).
The fundamental function of ADRES is to manage the resources of the health system, promoting the smooth and efficient functioning of the management of these public resources, exercising control, and thus guaranteeing payment to suppliers and providers promptly.
Entities that intervene in Colombia's health
The intervening entities, responsible for the correct administration of health in Colombia, are as follows.
Health Promoting Entities (EPS)
They organize and guarantee the correct provision of health services, as detailed in the Mandatory Health Plan. Hence the two branches (Contributory EPS and subsidized EPS) make up Colombia's general health.
Labor Risk Administrators (ARL)
It is responsible for managing the correct health service for the beneficiary members, covering all their medical needs, paid for by the employer.
Source: Colombia.com