​Bogotá, August 8, 2022. The Minister of Health and Social Protection, Carolina Corcho, met this Monday morning with the Ministry's work team, both the group in the payroll and the entity's contractors.

The purpose of the meeting was to get to know the minister, and learn about some of the challenges and work proposals that come with the new government. "This is a government of fundamental rights," said the head of the health ministry.

Likewise, she pointed out that health is not only the care of the disease, service provision, but also the social determinants of health.

"Neither this Government nor this Ministry is interested in looking back; we seek to unite. There is high technical capacity here," said Corcho, mentioning that all this knowledge must be brought to light and to the service of the fundamental right to health.

Regarding the reform, she stressed that "reforming is not ending," questioning those who criticize the health system. "We have been discussing for more than 10 years; we have to understand that there is a country out there," said the minister.

Among the priorities for this week, she highlighted that the tax reform project will be supported, as well as progress in defining the management team and she assured that "we will also value many of the people who are here."

Minister Corcho released the first designations of the working team. First, Jaime Urrego, doctor from Universidad Nacional, PhD in Public Health, specialist in Senior Management of Health Care Social Security and in Planning and Regional Development Administration, who was appointed by the minister, for the office of the deputy minister of public health and provision of services.

Similarly, Luis Alberto Martínez, a dentist from Universidad de Antioquia, specialist in Health Services Administration, holding a master's in Administration and in Government and Public Policies, who is appointed to the office of the deputy minister of social protection.

Additionally, the minister announced that the designated National Health Superintendent is Ulahy Beltrán, surgeon and specialist in health services management.

Finally, she appreciated the presence of the officers and contractors of the Ministry and their willingness. "I will be conversing this week, learning about your experiences; we want to row in the same direction."

Meet the Minister of Health and Social Protection

Bearing in mind that she has already met with the Ministry team and, before beginning her tenure, the minister is making her resume known to all Colombians.

That is why, in this document, we will learn a little more about the minister, a psychiatrist, in addition to being a researcher in aspects of public health and social issues.

She was a member of the Follow-up Commission for Judgment T-760 for a Structural Reform of the Health System, a civil society body, consultant to the Constitutional Court on Public Health Policy.

Likewise, she was president of the South Latin American Corporation, an organization that deals with various matters of public, agrarian, economic, social, health and human rights policies.

On the other hand, Corcho was vice president of the Colombian Medical Federation, an instance of the medical union. One of the roles that it fulfills is to permanently advise the National Government on public health and education policies in the sector.

The minister is co-founder and member of the Network of Progressive Women of Latin America and has also served as coordinator of the PAO-Colombia group.

Among other tasks performed, Minister Corcho was president of the National Association of Interns and Residents, Scientific Director of the consultancy project for the care model for the consumption of psychoactive substances by young people in the criminal responsibility system, and member of the National Mental Health Council, a body adviser to the national government on public policy on mental health, on behalf of medical associations and scientific societies.

Research

In her role as researcher, the minister has participated in various scenarios:

·         Right to Health in Colombia: Analysis of the political situation, context, actors and discourses, for the definition of the essential core of the Right to Health, in the process of Statutory Law 1751, 2015. Research in development to opt for the title of Master's in Political Studies, 2017

·         The Psychiatry Residency as a Rite of Passage at the University of Antioquia. Research project carried out within the framework of the Psychiatry residencies project as a Rite of Passage in Colombia, to opt for the title of Psychiatrist. National University of Colombia, 2013

·         Characterization of scenarios of violence due to non-fatal injuries treated in Second and Third Level Health Service Provider Institutions, Antioquia 2007. Urban Violence Research Group.

Principal researcher: Dr. María del Pilar Pastor Durango, PH D in Public Health, Faculty of Nursing, U of A

·         Homicide scenarios and socioeconomic development in Medellín, Bello, Itagüí and Envigado: A comparative study, 1990-2002 period. Research Group on Urban Violence.

Principal researcher: Dr. Carlos Alberto Giraldo Giraldo, Psychiatrist. Faculty, School of Medicine, U of A

·         Medellín: Scenarios of Violence, relationships and social bonds between actors. First phase: Characterization of homicide scenarios in Medellín 1990-2002. Urban Violence Research Group

Principal researcher: Dr. Héctor Iván García García, Public Health Physician, Master's Degree in Clinical Epidemiology. Professor Faculty of Medicine, U of A

In addition, throughout her career she has also focused on publications from her academic agenda. These are some examples:

Books:

·         Democratic Transition Agenda: Another Possible Colombia, academic and editorial coordination by Pedro Santana Rodríguez. Participation in the chapters: Proposal for regulation and development of statutory law 1751, 2015 for the guarantee of the fundamental right to health in Colombia and Towards a social contract around the peasant economy. The nutrition of Colombians is with the peasants, or it is not, 2022

·         The Fundamental Right to Health: Challenges of statutory law, Ed Hernando Torres Corredor and Diana Colorado. Chapter: The Struggle for the Right to Health in Colombia: Analysis of the statutory health law 1751, 2015 Pages 80-103. Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2020

Articles:

·         The Health Crisis in Colombia: the pandemic and the reform of the health system, Carolina Corcho Mejía. What university do we want? N 12, March 2021. Province of Philosophy, Universidad del Valle.

·         Permanent analyst of political, social, and health issues in the country in the weekly magazine Sur: https://www.sur.org.co/author/carolinacorcho/

·         De facto powers and co-optation of the health system: the case of Medimás, Corcho DC, Fundación Henrich Boll Office of Bogotá Ideas Verdes N 12, October 2018

·         Obstructive sleep apnea and psychiatric disorders - Obstructive sleep apnea and psychiatric disorders. Corcho DC, Velasquez J, Escobar F. Chilean Journal of Neuropsychiatry. December 2012

·         Homicide scenarios in Medellín (Colombia) between 1990-2002. Cardona M, Garcia HI, Giraldo CA, Lopez CA, Suarez CM, Corcho DC, Posada CH. Cuban Journal of Public Health 31: 3. July-September 2005.

·         Medellín: The comings and goings between life and death. Corcho DC, Giraldo CA, Garcia HI, Lopez MV, Cardona M, Posada CH. From the Region (Communication Body of the Antioquia Region Corporation) No. 46: 17-22. 2005

·         Homicides in Medellín, Colombia, between 1990 and 2002: Actors, motives and circumstances. Cardona M, García HI, Giraldo CA, López MV, Suárez CM, Corcho DC, Posada CH, Flórez MN. Cad Saúde Pública, Rio de Janeiro, 21 (x): 109-118. 2005

·         Medellín between death and life. Homicide scenarios, 1990-2002. Rodríguez CM, Giraldo CA, García HI, López MV, Cardona M, Corcho DC, Posada CH. Political Studies No. 26: 185-205. 2005

As already mentioned, Minister Corcho has extensive experience in the sector. She is an Outpatient Psychiatrist at Hospital Universitario Nacional and adjunct professor in the psychiatry department.

·         Medical Psychiatrist of the population deprived of liberty program, Goleman Health Services Provider Institution, June 2022

·         Medical Psychiatrist of the population deprived of liberty program. Our Lady of Peace Clinic, May 2022

Current professor:

·         Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca in the Master's in Human Development in Mental Health

·         Universidad de los Andes: Specialization in Business Law, topic of social security in health

·         Universidad del Norte: Master's in Social Security on the subject of Social Security in Health

Professor previously in:

·         Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Specialization in Public Health, in the area of public health policies.

·         Universidad Santo Tomás: Master's in Public Health on the subject of Health Systems Financing.

·         Funsabiam-Associated Physicians. Medical Psychiatrist. Hospitalization and Outpatient Service. August 1, 2015 to present.

·         Director of Social Participation, Territorial Management and Transsectoriality of the District Secretary of Health. January 23, 2015 to June 4, 2015.

·         Acting undersecretary of Territorial Management, Social Participation and Citizen Service. District Secretary of Health. October 23, 2014 to January 23, 2015.

·         Director of Social Participation and Citizen Service of the District Secretary of Health. July 25, 2014 to October 23, 2014.

·         ESE Hospital Centro Oriente, Bogotá DC Psychiatrist. Scientific Director of the Attention Center for the Mitigation of Drug Addiction of the Men's District Prison and Women's Annex- CAMAD. September 2014 to present.

·         Universidad Nacional de Colombia. School of Medicine. Bogota DC. Dean's Advisor. April 2013 to July 25, 2014.

·         ESE San Cristóbal Hospital, Bogotá DC. Psychiatrist of the Mobile Attention Center for Drug Addicts of the Men's District Prison and Women's Annex. March to August 2013

·         Universidad de Antioquia, Research Assistant. December 2007 to May 2008

·         Reporting to: Pilar Pastor- Faculty, School of Nursing

·         ESE Tobías Puerta. Municipality of Urumita. Compulsory Social Service. May 2008 to August 2008

·         Reporting to: Doctor Rafael Quintero- Manager

·         ESE María Antonia Toro de Elejalde. Municipality of Frontino. Compulsory Social Service. August 2008 to present.

·         Reporting to: Doctor Juan David Rodríguez- Manager.

·         Saludcoop Group, General Medicine. January 2009 to January 2010. Immediate supervisor: Doctor Antonio Morales- Medical coordinator.