Presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella presented a shock proposal to address the financial and operational crisis that the health system in Colombia is going through. The initiative was presented in an interview granted to The Time and proposes an immediate injection of 10 billion pesos during the first 90 days of an eventual government, with the purpose of guaranteeing medical care, the delivery of medicines and timely payment to hospitals, EPS and workers in the sector.

According to the candidate, the deterioration of the system has generated direct consequences on patients, who face delays in treatments, lack of medications and limitations in access to basic services. In this context, De la Espriella maintained that the crisis cannot wait and that immediate resources are required to avoid a greater collapse. In his words, “with 10 billion pesos I can stabilize the system in the first 90 days,” a statement that summarizes the central axis of his proposal, as reported by The Time.

Resources to address the system emergency

The candidate explained that the resources necessary for the shock plan could come from different sources, including Adres, the General Budget of the Nation or the issuance of bonds, mechanisms that would allow a quick response to the pending obligations of the health system. The objective, he noted, is to normalize the flow of payments and guarantee that hospitals and clinics can continue operating without financial restrictions.

The proposal prioritizes patient care, the timely supply of medications and payment to both the EPS that fulfill their functions and the medical and care staff. For De la Espriella, the financial disorder is the main factor that has led the system to a critical situation that, as he has warned, has already cost lives.

Debt closure and consultation with all actors

Beyond immediate attention, the presidential candidate pointed out that the structural problem of the system can only be resolved with a comprehensive financial solution. In that sense, he proposed calling all the actors involved to seek a definitive closure of the accumulated debt.

In the interview cited by The TimeDe la Espriella assured that he is willing to “sit providers, insurers, users, doctors and, also, State agencies at the same table” in order to achieve a clear settlement of pending obligations. In his opinion, without this step it is not possible to move towards a deep and sustainable reform of the health system.

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Prevention as the axis of a State policy

In his diagnosis, the candidate also pointed to structural causes that, according to him, have been neglected for years. Among them, he mentioned the lack of a sustained public policy on sports and nutrition since childhood, which has increased the incidence of chronic diseases and, with it, the pressure on the health system.

“If we have a State policy, not a government policy, that brings sports to our children and young people and, in addition, feeds them well, with a culture around a healthy diet, those children today who do not eat well and who, on top of that, do not play sports, are not going to be a burden on the health system in the future,” said the candidate, according to the capital’s newspaper.

Motorcycle accident and adjustments to the SOAT

Another point addressed by the candidate was the impact of road accidents, especially those related to motorcycles, on hospital congestion. De la Espriella warned that only a part of the motorcycle fleet has SOAT, which aggravates the financial pressure on the health system.

As an alternative, he proposed the creation of a more economical insurance that would allow expanding coverage and the implementation of “motorcycle routes” on existing roads, with the aim of organizing the traffic of motorcyclists and reducing the number of accidents.

Stabilize first, reform later

Finally, the presidential candidate insisted that any structural reform of the health system must be preceded by immediate stabilization that guarantees patient care. In that sense, he stressed that “money is needed now to pay what is owed” and ensure access to medicines and medical services, before undertaking fundamental transformations.