Hospitals in Nariño face emergency service collapse

The primary hospitals in the Nariño department, Hospital Universitario Departamental and Fundación Hospital San Pedro, are facing a critical emergency due to extreme saturation in their emergency departments. Health authorities in Pasto report that the situation is approaching total paralysis, a level of crisis not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to hospital reports, the Hospital Universitario Departamental has exceeded its capacity by 219 percent. Meanwhile, the Fundación Hospital San Pedro is reporting a 300 percent occupancy rate in gyneco-obstetrics and 180 percent in medical-surgical emergencies.

Health authorities have urged citizens to use emergency services only for life-threatening situations. For non-critical issues, residents are advised to seek outpatient consultations or priority care through their health providers (EPS).