Abstract

ROTH-DEUBEL, André N.  and  MOLINA-MARIN, Gloria. Public health stewardship and governance regarding the Colombian healthcare system, 2012-2013. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2013, vol.15, n.1, pp.44-55. ISSN 0124-0064.

Objective Analysing decision-making concerning public health issues regarding the Colombian healthcare system from a market economy-based approach. Methods This study involved applying Glaser and Strauss's grounded theory in six Colombian cities during 2012: Bogotá, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Leticia, Medellin and Pasto. 120 individual interviews were conducted with professionals involved in decision-making, running public healthcare programmes and making policy within public and private institutions. Fourteen focus groups were held with community organisation leaders. Results The findings suggested national and municipal health authorities' weak stewardship and ineffective governance regarding public healthcare policy and programmes, related to a lack of staff trained in public health management issues. In turn, this was related to political parties' interference and private insurers' particular interests and the structural fragmentation of functions and actors within the health system, thereby limiting public health development. Conclusions A new axiology is necessary for achieving effective governance (I.e. cooperation between Colombian Healthcare Social Security System actors) to overcome current incompetence and financial self-interest predominating within the Colombian healthcare system.

Keywords : Health policy; urban health service; healthcare reform.

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