The health system of Colombia

• Published in: Salud pública de México Vol. 53 Suppl 2; pp. s144 - s155
• Main Authors: Guerrero, Ramiro, Gallego, Ana Isabel, Becerril-Montekio, Victor, Vásquez, Johanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Mexico 2011
• Subjects: Colombia; Community Participation - statistics & numerical data; Delivery of Health Care - economics; Delivery of Health Care - organization & administration; Delivery of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Demography; Financing, Organized - economics; Financing, Organized - organization & administration; Financing, Organized - statistics & numerical data; Government Programs - economics; Government Programs - organization & administration; Government Programs - statistics & numerical data; Health Expenditures - statistics & numerical data; Health Resources - organization & administration; Health Resources - statistics & numerical data; Health Resources - supply & distribution; Health Services - economics; Health Services - statistics & numerical data; Health Services Administration - economics; Health Services Administration - statistics & numerical data; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Insurance Benefits - economics; Insurance Benefits - statistics & numerical data; Insurance Coverage - economics; Insurance Coverage - statistics & numerical data; Insurance, Health - economics; Insurance, Health - organization & administration; Insurance, Health - statistics & numerical data; National Health Programs - economics; National Health Programs - organization & administration; National Health Programs - statistics & numerical data; Organizational Innovation; Private Sector - economics; Private Sector - organization & administration; Private Sector - statistics & numerical data; Quality Assurance, Health Care - organization & administration; Social Security - economics; Social Security - organization & administration; Social Security - statistics & numerical data; Vital Statistics
• ISSN: 1606-7916

This document briefly describes the health conditions of the Colombian population and, in more detail, the characteristics of the Colombian health system. The description of the system includes its structure and coverage; financing sources; expenditure in health; physical material and human resources available; monitoring and evaluation procedures; and mechanisms through which the population participates in the evaluation of the system. Salient among the most recent innovations implemented in the Colombian health system are the modification of the Compulsory Health Plan and the capitation payment unit, the vertical integration of the health promotion enterprises and the institutions in charge of the provision of services and the mobilization of additional resources to meet the objectives of universal coverage and the homologation of health benefits among health regimes.