Risaralda accelerates reconstruction efforts following earthquake

The department of Risaralda is accelerating reconstruction efforts following the earthquake on August 10. Under the leadership of Governor Juan Diego Patiño Ochoa, the Unified Command Post (PMU) has outlined recovery actions for 14 affected municipalities, focusing on health, rural livelihoods, mental health, and road maintenance.

Significant funding has been allocated to the healthcare sector. The Hospital Universitario San Jorge has received 10,000 million pesos in resources from the Ministry of Health to strengthen the institution. Additionally, the government has secured 196,000 million pesos to cover health sector pension liabilities through 2032.

Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo has also confirmed that national resources are secured for the Regional Hospital of High Complexity (HRAC) project currently under construction in Pereira. The administration is also exploring international cooperation and partnerships with organizations like the Santo Domingo Foundation to restore hospital mobility and equipment.