TREAT THEM WELL
A progressive approach to public healthcare has allowed Colombia to develop an impressive network of hospitals with access to advanced treatments and services.
The Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe began operating in 1970, but its history dates back to 1946, when the ANDI Foundation signed an act establishing a hospital that would later bear this name. In 1954, Don Pablo Tobón Uribe, a well-known philanthropist from the city of Medellín, upon his death, left as a legacy the construction of the hospital, which would merge with the ANDI Foundation in 1957. We have become a leading healthcare institution in terms of quality, services, and innovation, particularly in highly complex treatments. We have also become a leading institution in terms of administrative practices, and host many visits every year from people interested in better understanding our operational activities. Today, we are the 10th best Latin American health center, and we are the first in Antioquia. This has been made possible by our incredible staff and the professional team we have formed over the years; we also invest around $2 million every year in advanced training for our employees. Moreover, our facility has the latest technology in the industry and our high-quality services are nationally certified and recognized.
Colombia has one of the most progressive health systems in the world, meaning that all Colombians who have enough financial resources cover the health costs for those with no financial power through a budgeted national system. This is done through tax charges on salaries that go directly to fund access to the health system for those who cannot afford care. Private clinics within the sector have the latest and most advanced technologies available as well as highly qualified doctors and specialists who obtained their qualifications abroad. On top of that, demand has been increasing over the past few years, and this has brought prices down considerably. Bucaramanga has become one of the prime movers in the industry. There are also some other high-quality centers in Bogotá and Medellín. Barranquilla had no clinic meeting high international health standards before the incorporation of Clínica Portoazul. The city had qualified and skilled human resources in the sector, but no center that offered services at the highest international standards. Doctors, insurers, local and regional authorities, and some other agents came together to make this project a reality. The government was also a key player, and that's why we now enjoy the legal status of an FTZ.
We have reached universal healthcare through social insurance, and I would say that people in Colombia have learned to claim and demand health as one of their social rights. One of the most important achievements has been the fact that health access has become an essential right. One of the latest advancements in this field has to do with the monoclonal antibodies treatment, which is also included within the system. The latest radiotherapy surgery is also available within the Colombian health system, which overall operates to international standards. One of the main strengths of the health system is that despite the current per capita payment level, we provide a full range of services; we have developed a highly efficient health system from an economic perspective. The hospital was established through a common effort from the Pontifica Universidad Javeriana and a number of private sector doctors back in 1942. Over the years, the center maintained its university character and today employs 2,250 staff. We work 24/7 and 365 days a year, while the average number of patients treated per day currently stands at 2,000.
TREAT THEM WELL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inside Perspective
María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Colombia
TBY talks to HE María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, Colombia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the strengths of international alliances, trade relations with the US, and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
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The Right Honorable Nicholas Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
The Right Honorable Nicholas Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on progress made in a growing bilateral relationship.
read articleFocus: The Valle del Cauca Department
Cali For Ya
The Valle del Cauca, or Cauca Valley, is the country's gateway to the Pacific, boasting the largest port, at Buenaventura. The region's capital, Cali, is also a heavyweight in terms of GDP, yet lingering problems with violence are holding back development
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Martha Juliana Silva Ricaurte, Founder & President, SILK Banca de Inversión
TBY talks to Martha Juliana Silva Ricaurte, Founder & President of SILK Banca de Inversión, on Bogotá's transportation infrastructure, foreign investment in Colombia, and the private equity industry.
read articleInterview
Rodolfo Ramírez, President and General Manager for Colombia & Ecuador, PPG Industries
TBY talks to Rodolfo Ramírez, President and General Manager for Colombia & Ecuador, PPG Industries, on management strategy, competition, and the legal and regulatory framework in Colombia.
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