Bogotá D.C., November 17, 2022. At the opening of the International Congress on Comprehensive and Integrated Networks and Health Systems, the deputy minister of social protection, Luis Martínez, expressed the needs of the current Colombian health system in order to continue guaranteeing the enjoyment health.

"The State, as well as individuals and companies, are making a joint effort to pull together resources that finance the health system, but we have many opportunities to improve the distribution of those resources to the territories," said Deputy Minister Martínez.

For the official, the objective of the current Government is that the distribution of health resources be more equitable. "For the resources to truly be applied to the needs of the population," he explained.

Martinez recognizes that, in the last 30 years, the Constitutional Court has played a prominent role in guaranteeing the health of Colombian men and women. "Different judgments have made it clear to the Government, but also the legislative body, that they have to channel regulations towards the materialization of the effective enjoyment of universal health," he said.

The deputy minister considered that this is where there is a task pending. "For this, and following the recommendations of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), countries like Colombia must have integrated people-centered health systems, understanding the needs of families and communities in their territory."

Consequently, the Ministry is progressing in decisive networks, with socio-health actors, and with Primary Health Care as the gateway to the system. "All these concepts are enshrined in judgment C-313, 2014, where the Court sets the agenda of what our health system should be," said Martínez.

In closing, the deputy minister pointed out that experiences at the international level will serve as guides for the evolution of the Colombian health system. "One that advances in the guarantee of the effective enjoyment of the right."

In turn, Gina Tambini, PAHO representative to Colombia, reiterated her commitment, "and working hand in hand with the Ministry of Health, in each of the territories and with all the actors and communities dedicated to universal health," she pointed out.