Study reveals that the risk of dying from treatable infections is up to 180 times higher in certain areas of Colombia.

Although Colombia has one of the highest health insurance rates in Latin America, timely access to services seems to be a privilege. This is revealed by research from the National University of Colombia (UNAL), which exposes how completely preventable diseases continue to claim lives, especially in the country's rural and marginalized regions.

The study conducted by Kelly Patricia Estrada Orozco, a surgeon and doctor in Public Health at UNAL, shows that, despite the fact that 97% of the Colombian population is affiliated with a health system, nearly 30% lack effective access to the medical services they need. This gap translates into late diagnoses, lack of prevention, and avoidable complications.

Among the most alarming cases are congenital syphilis, neonatal tetanus, and postpartum endometritis, all conditions that could be prevented with proper medical checkups, hygienic conditions, and basic clinical protocols.

However, these cases are more common in areas such as Chocó, Nariño, Atlántico and Putumayo , where medical care is insufficient or arrives too late.

The impact is not uniform. While in some regions of the country it is possible to prevent or treat these diseases in a timely manner, in others, systemic errors—such as a lack of prenatal checkups or inadequate hospital practices—become risk factors for mothers, babies, and patients with treatable medical conditions.

One of the report's most striking findings is that the risk of acquiring an infection in a hospital or intensive care unit can be up to 180 times higher depending on the region. Rural and peripheral regions face the greatest challenges: insufficient medical personnel, lack of standardized protocols, poor infrastructure, and a social context marked by poverty and insecurity.

To understand the real impact, the study included more than 18,000 documents, including academic literature, technical reports, and official databases from the National Institute of Health, DANE (National Institute of Statistics and Census), Sispro (National Institute of Statistics and Census), and Sivigila (National Institute of Health). It also included testimonials from patients and families in different regions of the country, who described the daily obstacles to receiving care: from a lack of transportation and medical appointments to the inability to obtain medications or vaccines.

Data reveal that 60% of neonatal tetanus cases in the last decade occurred in departments such as Antioquia (rural areas), Chocó, La Guajira, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca. In addition, preventable diseases such as chronic childhood malnutrition, untreated middle ear infections, complications from poorly implemented vaccination schedules, and foodborne illnesses in school programs were documented.

"The lack of timely care, both inside and outside health institutions, contributes to the worsening of underlying conditions such as status epilepticus, complicated urinary tract infections, or anemia secondary to untreated uterine bleeding," the National University report states.

Regarding Bogotá, the study indicates that it has the lowest rates of "unwanted health care events." The reason, it states, is partly due to its hospital infrastructure and greater availability of specialized personnel. However, significant gaps persist for those who belong to the subsidized system, migrants, and those living in peripheral areas of the city.

Overall, research indicates that three out of four adverse events in healthcare in Colombia could be prevented. This refers to harm or complications that patients experience during treatment that could have been avoided. These include errors in medication administration, complications from medical procedures, and delays in diagnosis or treatment.

Improving protocols, staff training, and timely access to services are key to preventing these incidents and ensuring safer, higher-quality care.