Colombian hospitals confront overcrowding in Tolima while Huila facilities earn top regional ranking

Hospital Federico Lleras in Ibagué, Tolima, reported an emergency department occupancy of 170 % during the San Juan and San Pedro festivals, with hospitalisation at 82 % and intensive care units at 95 %. The hospital activated a contingency plan, urging residents and tourists to limit non‑emergency ER visits, consume safe food and alcohol from authorized sources, and donate blood to address shortages.

In the neighboring department of Huila, the University Hospital Hernando Moncaleano Perdomo in Neiva and the Departmental Hospital San Antonio in Pitalito were both included in the HospiRank 2026, a prestigious Latin‑American ranking of hospital technology and infrastructure. Governor Rodrigo Villalba highlighted the achievement as a sign of regional health development, noting the hospitals’ role in serving patients from Huila and neighboring departments such as Caquetá, Putumayo and Tolima.