Earlier this month, researchers from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL), together with patient advocacy groups and the Hospital Universitario Nacional de Colombia, gathered for a webinar to present new research on patient perceptions across the country’s healthcare system. Based on surveys with over 2,000 patients living with cancer, orphan diseases, and cardiovascular conditions, the event shed light on the daily friction points in care continuity and health financing.

The findings presented by UNAL researchers and patient leaders revealed major systemic bottlenecks. Up to 84% of cardiovascular patients and 65% of patients with orphan diseases reported delays or incomplete deliveries of prescribed medications, while 8 out of 10 cancer patients felt that care quality had declined between 2024 and 2025. Additionally, rising administrative barriers have forced over a quarter of cancer patients to pay out-of-pocket for services previously covered by the system.

During the panel discussion, health policy experts Augusto Galán and Carmen Eugenia Dávila highlighted actionable steps to address this crisis. They emphasized that treatment continuity—not just initial access—must become a core metric for health system performance, calling for better integration between clinical teams and pharmacy networks, aligned financial incentives, and restored regulatory clarity to rebuild patient trust.

If you are interested in patient-centered research and health system governance in Latin America, this discussion is a must-watch. Explore the full conversation and key takeaways below.

A tres voces: lo que revelan los pacientes crónicos sobre el sistema de salud (2024–2025)

▶️ Watch the full webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhBK-lxe744