Colombia healthcare complaints rise in San Andrés and Santander

Colombia is experiencing a significant rise in healthcare complaints, with notable issues in the regions of San Andrés and Santander. In San Andrés, the archipelago recorded 57.5 complaints per 10,000 affiliates during the first half of 2026, the highest rate in the country. The Defensoría del Pueblo attributed these barriers to difficulties in obtaining medications, medical referrals, and the logistical challenges of traveling off-island for specialized care.

In Santander, complaints against health providers (EPS) reached a decade-high between January and August 2026, totaling 69,231 cases. The primary driver of these grievances is the denial of authorized medications, medical devices, and health technologies. Other major issues include the denial of appointments, delays in consultations, and lack of timely hospital or home care. Nueva EPS, Salud Total, and Sanitas are among the providers with the highest volume of reported cases.