Healthcare-avoidable mortality is an indicator that allows countries to evaluate the effectiveness of their health systems. Its measurement is key to identifying what failed and what must be corrected to reduce those deaths that, if it were not for these deficiencies, would never have occurred.
To this end, researchers from the National Health Observatory (ONS) of the National Institute of Health (INS) analyzed the performance of the Colombian health system during the last ten years before the pandemic, to establish which interventions were missing or should have been strengthened to prevent 364,113 Colombians from dying from causes that the health system could intervene.
According to the study, of the total number of people who died from diseases preventable by the health system, the highest proportions corresponded to ischemic heart disease (31.5%), neonatal disorders (13.4%), cerebrovascular disease (12.8%), and other diseases like breast cancer, colon and rectal cancer, cervical cancer, chronic kidney disease, tuberculosis, and digestive diseases.
The data reported in the INS report titled ‘When death is avoidable’, revealed that out of 2,160,686 deaths in Colombia between 2010-2019, 16.8% (364 thousand) were due to difficulties in access or quality of the health system. This percentage was higher in municipalities with less access to health services, indicating the need for more effective interventions in prevention and primary care.
Avoidable mortality attributable to the health system is an indicator of additional mortality caused by health system failures, which could have been prevented with timely interventions. The study pointed out the need for a health system that guarantees universal, timely, and quality access to healthcare to prevent the death of thousands of Colombians.
The report emphasized the importance of preventive measures, early diagnosis, and treatment in addressing major causes of death in the country. It highlighted the need for a shift towards a healthcare system that focuses more on prevention rather than just curative measures. Measures like vaccination, prenatal control, and quality treatment for cardiovascular diseases could significantly reduce preventable deaths in the country.
In conclusion, the findings suggest that with a more proactive approach and effective interventions, many deaths in Colombia could have been avoided. It is imperative for the health system to prioritize prevention, early diagnosis, and quality treatment to ensure the fundamental right to health for all Colombians.