health
April 29, 2026
Nearly nine thousand cancer patients affected: Nueva EPS patients after crisis with Cancer Institute
The Colombian health system is going through a storm where lack of payments, information opacity, and political decisions are leaving thousands of patients adrift. At the center of this crisis is, once again, Nueva EPS, the health provider with the largest number of affiliates in the country, which today faces the closure of vital institutions such as the National Cancer Institute (INC).
TL;DR
- The Colombian health system is experiencing its worst humanitarian crisis in 21 years, primarily affecting patients of Nueva EPS.
- The National Cancer Institute (INC) is no longer receiving new adult cancer patients due to non-payment and lack of contracts with Nueva EPS.
- An estimated six to nine thousand new adult cancer patients in Bogotá are affected by the INC's service suspension.
- Patients are losing hope and ceasing to file legal complaints (tutelas) as they feel legal victories do not guarantee access to care.
- There is a lack of transparency regarding health system funds, and questions remain about where the money allocated via the UPC (Capitation Payment Unit) is going.
- Serious delays in diagnoses and medication delivery, especially oral chemotherapies, are occurring.
- The government's assertion that UPC funds are sufficient is questioned, given the large debt with the INC, where 90% of care is covered by UPC.
- Patient organizations have attempted to engage with oversight bodies like the Defensoría del Pueblo, Contraloría, and Procuraduría, with limited success.