'40% of health system resources are wasted': HealthTech Colombia
Lina Morales, executive director of HealthTech Colombia Photo: Courtesy
TL;DR
- Approximately 40% of healthcare resources are wasted, a figure that could be reduced through technological solutions.
- Interoperability, artificial intelligence, and data analytics are crucial for managing patients and clinical processes more efficiently.
- The Latam HealthTech Forum 2026 will gather over 530 participants from 11 countries to define a regional roadmap for technology adoption in health.
- HealthTech Colombia, initially a WhatsApp group, has formalized into an association with over 300 member companies, expanding its scope to Latam.
- Investment in HealthTech is increasingly focused on startups addressing infrastructure and operational challenges, as well as AI for diagnosis and prediction.
- Colombia is positioning itself as an international hub for health technology innovation, offering complex solutions at competitive costs.
- Lack of interoperability is a major cause of inefficiency and waste in health systems, leading to duplicated tests and increased costs.
- Implementing interoperability and real-time data availability could reduce unnecessary health spending by 15-20%, potentially resolving the system's $20 billion deficit.