Introduction:

The writ of protection is a constitutional remedy designed to guarantee the effective exercise of the fundamental right to health when it is violated.

Objective:

To analyze the evolution of health-related tutela actions in Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Bogotá D.C., and Colombia from 2008 to 2023.

Methodology:

Ecological study with retrospective data. The ratio of tutelas per affiliates and population was calculated for the four geographic areas from 2008 to 2023. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate the Annual Percentage Change (APC) and identify inflection points.

Results:

Beginning in 2014, a sustained increase in the rate of tutela actions filed to guarantee the right to health was observed, reaching its highest level in 2018. This trend was consistent in Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, and at the national level, but was not mirrored in Bogotá D.C. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of tutelas experienced a marked decline. However, from 2021 onward, a renewed upward trend was noted both nationally and, in the departments analyzed in this study.

Conclusions:

It is essential for regulatory entities to identify the factors influencing these increases and assess the measures taken to develop effective strategies that reduce barriers to healthcare access.