Colombia’s Health Care System Rankings Drop Sharply According to Ceoworld Index
In 2021, President Gustavo Petro highlighted Colombia’s position in the global ranking of health care systems, as assessed by the Health Care Index of Ceoworld magazine. At that time, Colombia was placed 31st out of 89 countries evaluated. However, by 2024, the country had plummeted to 81st place in the ranking, out of a total of 110 countries reviewed.
The latest rankings show significant changes among the top performers, with South Korea taking the top spot, followed by Taiwan, Denmark, Austria, and Japan. Taiwan, with an overall score of 78.72, excelled in medical infrastructure and the quality of professionals. In contrast, Colombia’s scores decreased across the board, particularly in the availability of medications and government preparedness for health crises.
Experts like Jorge Martín Rodríguez from Javeriana University attribute Colombia’s lower ranking to issues of precision and timeliness in service provision, as evidenced by an increase in complaints and claims. Elisa Torrenegra points to a lack of progress in ongoing aspects of the health care system due to the government’s focus on reform efforts, causing negative impacts on key variables.
On a regional scale, Colombia still outperforms countries like Chile but has been surpassed by Brazil, which now holds the highest position in Latin America. Meanwhile, European countries like Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway continue to excel in the Ceoworld Health Care Index, occupying fifth to ninth places consecutively.
The downward trend for Colombia in the global health care rankings underscores the need for continued focus on improving infrastructure, medication availability, and government readiness to address health challenges effectively.