Venezuela public hospitals face de facto privatization by private firms

Healthcare unions and professional federations in Venezuela are reporting a de facto privatization of public hospitals. Due to severe infrastructure deterioration and a lack of supplies, private companies and laboratories are increasingly controlling essential services within state-run medical centers.

According to the Federation of Colleges of Bioanalysts of Venezuela, approximately 79.89% of public bioanalysis services are currently inoperable. María Cabrera, president of the Colegio de Bioanalistas del Distrito Federal y Miranda, reported that private laboratory personnel have entered public hospitals to collect samples or that patients are being pressured to use specific private facilities under threat of having their results rejected.

In addition to diagnostic services, nursing unions have noted that patients undergoing surgery at facilities like the Hospital Domingo Luciani are often required to personally purchase essential supplies, including sutures, medical tape, and antiseptic solutions, before procedures can proceed. Union leaders state that formal complaints regarding these practices have been filed with the Ministry of Salud but have received no response.