During his first speech as president of the republic, President Abelardo De la Espriella referred to the current crisis in the health system, stating that what is currently happening in the country is “a deeply human drama.”
“The quality of a nation is also measured by how it cares for the life and health of its people. When a father cannot find care for his sick child, when a citizen waits for a medical appointment that never comes, when a patient does not receive the medication on which their life depends, when a person dies waiting for surgery, or when an elderly person waits for months for an essential treatment,” the president said.
According to the president, in recent years actions were taken in the health system that affected the provision of service and, therefore, the people.
“We are not facing a crisis but a deeply human drama. The situation our health system is going through today is the painful consequence of wrong decisions that deteriorated the service that millions of compatriots should receive,” he assured.
Regarding how the previous government managed the sector, De la Espriella did not miss the opportunity to question what he considered an ideological handling of health, and stated that “this Government will not address health issues with ideological theses. I come with the determination to correct whatever is necessary.”
“My unwavering purpose is that no Colombian ever again feels that at the moment of greatest anguish they were left alone facing an illness,” he concluded.
In terms of education, the president highlighted its importance as a tool to generate opportunities and announced actions to strengthen the training of Colombians.
“We will achieve academic excellence, dignify the work of our teachers. We will strengthen technical, technological, and university education. We will promote research, science, and innovation”, De La Espriella said.
