In a public hearing held in the Congress of the Republicrepresentatives of the Colombian teachers, together with the executive of Fecode, Victoria Avendaño, and the secretary of health of the ADEC, Libeth Linares, They expressed severe criticism of the new health model implemented for teachers in the country.
This model, which began approximately two months ago, is the subject of numerous complaints due to its continuous operational failures that are seriously affecting teachers.
Among the main concerns raised during the hearing are:
1. Difficulties accessing medications: Professors point out that acquiring medicines has become increasingly complicated under the new system, which is affecting their access to essential treatments.
2. Lack of response to medical appointments: Despite attempts to communicate to schedule medical appointments, many teachers say they do not receive any response, either by phone or email.
3. Complications in performing basic exams: Teachers have denounced that carrying out basic exams now involves a more tortuous and prolonged process, with a lack of immediate solutions and clear answers from health authorities.
What do the teachers say?
Victoria Avendaño from Fecode stressed that “the underlying problems are not being resolved”emphasizing the lack of hiring necessary for the adequate care of chronic and catastrophic patients. According to Avendaño, this situation endangers the health and lives of teachers every day.
Liliana Becerra, a teacher from Soacha, shared her indignation when mentioning the absurd difficulties that teachers face in obtaining authorizations for basic examsessential for monitoring treatments such as chemotherapy.
Libeth Linares from the ADEC also regretted the lack of response from the competent entitiesindicating that numerous emails and phone calls remain unanswered, which further aggravates the situation.
The public hearing concluded in an atmosphere of deep disagreement, especially due to the absence of key ministerial representatives, such as the ministers of Health, Finance, Education and Labor..
Representative Jennifer Pedraza, organizer of the event, expressed her disappointment at the failure of the relevant authorities to appear to address the urgent concerns of Colombian teachers regarding their health and well-being.
