Cecilia Quintero, the face of the patient exposing the deterioration of Colombia's health system
Cecilia Quintero, a 70-year-old woman who died in a medicine delivery waiting room. Photo: @ronnysuarez_
TL;DR
- Cecilia Quintero, 70, died while waiting for medication at a Nueva EPS facility in Cúcuta.
- She had been attempting to secure diapers and methadone for her disabled son since September and essential medication for her husband.
- Quintero collapsed and died after speaking out about the lack of medication and alleged stockpiling.
- Her death has intensified the debate on the crisis within Colombia's health sector and medication access.
- The Defensoría del Pueblo called the situation a "collective failure" and warned against normalizing deaths due to lack of access to essential drugs.
- Droguerías Cafam expressed regret, stated emergency protocols were activated, and announced an internal investigation.
- The incident is compared to the death of 7-year-old Kevin Acosta, who also died while waiting for delayed medications.