Abstract

MOLINA-MARIN, Gloria; VARGAS-PENA, Gilma Stella  and  SHAW, Alina. Maternity Care within a Health Market Environment, Medellin-Colombia, 2008-2009. Rev. Gerenc. Polit. Salud [online]. 2010, vol.9, n.19, pp.108-123. ISSN 1657-7027.

Objective: To analyze accessibility to maternity care services in the city of Medellin, within the context of the Colombian Social Security System for Health. Metho dology: A qualitative approach was used; 23 in-depth interviews were conducted to medical doctors and nurses who provide health care to mothers and/or manage health institutions. Also, three focus groups with mothers were carried out. A coding and categorizing process was used to analyze information following Grounded Theory process. Findings: In spite of the fact that maternal-child care is a priority issue, mothers experiment difficulties to access to health services, given by the insurance system, fragmentation of services in contracting out process between insurer and hospitals -linked with competence based on lower prices- and the dominant status of private health insurers.

Keywords : accessibility; health services; health sector reform; privatization; public health; Public health; Health services; Medellín, Colombia; 2008-2009; Health care reform.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )