Colombia, a pioneer of complex medical services for the Caribbean

Colombia’s dynamic medical industry continues strengthening its services to the Caribbean market with the top-notch technology and state of the art institutions 

PROCOLOMBIA - Procolombia, the Colombian government agency that promotes international tourism, foreign investment, non-traditional exports and country brand, has been working closely with the health sector to best position Colombia as the world leader in highly complex medical services.

Colombia currently has more than twenty eight private and public medical institutions specializing in cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, oncology, urology and physical rehabilitation. This diversity has allowed Colombia to build a vast portfolio of medical and surgical services making it one of the most attractive destinations for highly complex medical treatments. Only in 2014, Colombia received more than 9.792 foreign patients.

Technology investment, infrastructure, innovation, competitive pricing, skilled professionals and high quality services have positioned the country’s health sector as one of the leaders and pioneers in the Latin American market. Colombia’s institutions have received national and international accreditations strengthening the quality of its medical sector. As an example, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) recognized the Clínica Universidad de La Sabana last June making it the first internationally accredited hospital in rehabilitation in Colombia.

Colombia ranks third in Latin America after Brazil and Mexico in the number of institutions accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) including clinics such as Fundación Cardiovascular located in Bucaramanga, Fundación Santa Fe and Fundación Cardioinfantil located in Bogotá.

Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Saint Martin, and Surinam are the main countries of the Caribbean that refer their patients to different medical institutions in Colombia. Medical treatments for oncology, such as leukemia, head, neck and breast cancer, and treatments for neurosurgery such as Parkinson neurostimulators; are among the most demanded by the islands. In addition, institutions such as Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia have agreements with Caribbean insurers such as AZV in Aruba, Ministry of Health and Children’s Life Fund Authority in Trinidad & Tobago, BUPA and Europ Assistance (International).