Colombia's Hospitals Issue Emergency Alerts Over Critical Overcapacity

The Hospital Mental Perpetuo Socorro in Pasto announced that emergency and inpatient services have exceeded their installed capacity, triggering contingency measures in line with Ministry of Health directives. The hospital urged health insurers, regulatory bodies and the public to limit non‑critical referrals until capacity is restored, prioritising life‑threatening cases.

In the neighboring municipality of Soacha, officials declared a yellow hospital alert after occupancy in emergency rooms rose above 200% at several facilities, including the Mario Gaitán Yanguas and the Cardiovascular Children’s Hospital. A unified command centre was activated, contingency plans were expedited, and health providers were instructed to ensure rapid patient transfers and maintain essential supplies, all amidst a presidential election week.