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2020-12, World Bank Group

Since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed, on March 6, 2020, the Primary Health Care (PHC) system in Colombia has been on trial, displayinga variability in governance capacity across the national territory. The response of the Colombian health system to COVID-19 and the role that PHChas played highlight several of its strengths and weaknesses. Barriers to access to health services related to distance and cost perceived by the Colombian population have steadily decreased since 2010, while barriers corresponding to perceived quality of services have remained relativelyconstant. Although barriers have been reduced and the availability of services has increased in the Health Service Delivery Institutions (HSDI) of the country, aspects related to the quality of care they provide continue to show weaknesses such as in the continuity of care, adherence of providers to clinical guidelines and aspects of patient safety. In the system, inequities of access, quality and coverage of PHC services persist throughout the national territory. To achieve a high-performing PHC system, this report proposes a series of recommendations, including: (a) Implement a new model of care focused on PHC, which offers a comprehensive package of services and reflects the health needs of the population; (b) Prepare the next generation of technicians and health professionals in PHC to work in multidisciplinary teams, and (c) Use PHC as a strategy to reduce inequities in health.

2018-11-02, World Bank Group

El presente análisis tiene como objetivo principal determinar los impactos sociales, sectoriales y económicos que la migración sostenida de personas desde Venezuela está teniendo en Colombia, particularmente en los principales municipios receptores. Esta migración sin precedentes está teniendo impactos significativos en las áreas receptoras, particularmente pronunciados por las difíciles condiciones socioeconómicas de los migrantes. Como consecuencia, la migración está poniendo presiones significativas en las instituciones, los sistemas de provisión de servicios, el mercado laboral y las dinámicas sociales de las áreas receptoras. En este contexto, el reporte ofrece opciones de política y programáticas para su adecuado manejo, basadas en buenas prácticas internacionales.

2020-12, World Bank Group

The reforms of the Colombian Health System in the last decade have sought to position primary health care (PHC) as an essential strategy to guarantee integrated and comprehensive care of the population’s health needs. The Primary Health Care approach includes three integrated, interdependent components: health services, intersectoriality, and social participation in terms of empowering individuals, families and communities to take charge of their own health. Within this conceptual framework, Colombia has tackled the SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic formally announcedby the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. This report examines the role of PHC in Colombia›s preparation for, response to, and recovery from the pandemic. The main features of the pandemic affecting the country are described first, followed by observations stemming from analysis of the regulatory component, the healthcare services delivered, and the role of public health communication and surveillance. The report ends with conclusions on the analysis.

2018-12-11, World Bank Group

It is critical for the new administration to boost the reform momentum, focusing on implementation and results. The new government will face the challenge of unifying a polarized society and meeting the population’s expectations and aspirations of peace, security, prosperity and reduced inequality. The policy notes presented here focus to a large extent on ways in which this implementation can be improved, putting forward specific recommendations to advance towards the main objective.