Colombia's health system grapples with funding shortfalls, hospital debt and new construction

The Valle del Cauca regional government allocated 6 billion Colombian pesos to hospitals in Roldanillo, Sevilla and Zarzal to cover unpaid wages and debts to health workers, amid street protests demanding timely salaries. Health workers claim EPSs owe more than 18 billion pesos, causing service closures and patient displacement.

In Antioquia, 17 public hospitals suspended ambulatory care for patients of the Coosalud EPS because the insurer has an outstanding debt of about 300 billion pesos, threatening medication supplies, staff wages and supplier payments. Urgent care remains operational, but thousands of users face delayed outpatient treatment.

Separately, Cundinamarca governor Jorge Emilio Rey announced a new Hospital El Salvador in Ubaté, a $120 billion investment that will double the region’s service capacity from 34 to 72 specialties and add intensive‑care and inpatient beds.

Together, these developments highlight a broader financial crisis in Colombia’s public‑health network, marked by chronic under‑funding, EPS arrears and large‑scale infrastructure projects intended to modernize care.