Health

A handful of international awards and recognition have placed Colombia’s health system on the global radar as the sector seeks to conform to international standards. A recent reform to the universal health care system in 2012 improved coverage and made access to services more affordable, boosting the potential for the pharmaceuticals industry and allowing Colombia to build its presence has a producer and distributor in Latin America. Medical tourism has experienced growth, in particular in the areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery even though illegal operations remain a problem. Nonetheless, complex financial and management issues continue to restrict the growth of a quality health system, which faces ongoing challenges, in particular the shortage of specialists and a growing gap in quality standards between urban and rural centres.