Sogamoso Hospital faces criticism over three‑month delay in life‑saving surgery for accident victim

The Hospital Regional de Sogamoso in Boyacá, Colombia, has been accused of keeping a three‑month wait on the referral of 17‑year‑old Juan Camilo Alzate Estupiñán, who needs specialized thoracic surgery after a serious traffic accident. Administrative barriers have prevented his transfer to high‑complexity clinics in Bogotá or Bucaramanga, despite the urgency of the procedure.

During the prolonged stay, Alzate has lost mobility in his right leg and left arm and developed skin lesions on his back, worsening his physical and emotional condition. His family filed a tutela action that was granted, affirming his right to health, and lodged complaints with the Superintendencia Nacional de Salud. The local mayor’s office and the municipal health secretariat have been criticised for inaction, highlighting systemic gaps in the Boyacá health system’s ability to coordinate referrals for patients under the contributory regime.