Petro Slams Keralty Owner, Vows Expulsion

President Declares Him “Criminal” Amidst Health System Interventions

President Gustavo Petro has launched a scathing attack on the owner of Keralty, the parent company of EPS Sanitas, labelling him a “criminal in Colombia” and vowing to secure his removal from the country.

Escalating Intervention in Health Sector

During a public address, President Petro reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding interventions within the nation’s health system. He stated that the measures currently in place would not only continue but be amplified, signalling a decisive stance on the administration’s reform agenda.

“The health reform is approved, this sinks or intervenes.”

—Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia

The President’s strong pronouncements came as his government has taken significant steps to intervene in various EPS entities. This aggressive approach underscores the administration’s determination to reshape Colombia’s healthcare landscape, facing considerable debate and opposition.

Keralty’s Owner Targeted

Petro specifically singled out the owner of Keralty, asserting that the individual operates as a criminal within Colombian borders. This direct accusation suggests a belief that financial impropriety or other illicit activities are at play within the management of the intervened health providers.

The Colombian government’s actions have sparked widespread discussion, with President Petro defending his administration’s interventions in EPS as necessary measures. According to a recent report from the World Health Organization, administrative inefficiencies and corruption can significantly hinder healthcare access and quality in developing nations, costing billions annually globally (WHO, 2021).

Health Reform at Stake

The President framed the ongoing health system adjustments as a critical juncture, indicating that the success of his broader health reform agenda hinges on these aggressive interventions. The administration views these actions as essential to achieving its objectives for a more equitable and effective healthcare system.

Petro‘s administration has consistently argued that the current structure of some EPS has led to patient neglect and the inefficient use of public funds. The interventions are presented as a necessary, albeit forceful, step to correct these perceived systemic failures and prioritize public health.