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Attention Cartagena: emergency rooms at the Gestión Salud San Fernando Clinic are temporarily closed for remodeling
CO🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive9/2/2026

Attention Cartagena: emergency rooms at the Gestión Salud San Fernando Clinic are temporarily closed for remodeling

The article reports on the temporary closure of emergency services at the San Fernando clinic of Clínica Gestión Salud in Cartagena due to infrastructure renovation works. The Department Administrative District of Health (Dadis) activated an emergency plan in coordination with the Center for Regulation of Urgencies, Emergencies and Disasters (CRUED) to mitigate the impact on the healthcare network and ensure continued service to residents of the Industrial Zone and the Bay area. Authorities confirmed that the clinic notified health promotion entities (EPS) 20 days in advance, adhering to Resolution 3100 of 2019. Maria Paulina Osorio Cortina, director of Operational Surveillance and Control of Dadis, emphasized prioritizing patient care and requested the clinic to implement alternatives to minimize community impact during renovations. The article outlines alternative emergency care locations, including the María Auxiliadora clinic, the ESE Hospital Cartagena de Indias, and the Hospital Nelson Mandela, with specialized staff support. The CRUED will maintain a technical team on-site to oversee service modulation and referrals.

The Colombian president, Abelardo De La Espriella, has ordered immediate medical attention for Lucas Francesco Murillo García, a seven-year-old boy from Cúcuta suffering from a severe heart condition. The child sent a message to the president requesting help after his mother had spent over a year trying to secure approval from Nueva EPS for necessary tests and procedures to qualify him for a heart transplant. In response, the health ministry confirmed it had contacted the family, and Nueva EPS stated it would provide the required treatment. Following the president's intervention, Nueva EPS announced that it had completed the necessary arrangements to ensure comprehensive care for the young patient. According to the entity, with the family’s consent, Lucas will receive treatment at a specialized institution equipped to handle the procedures he requires for recovery. This comes after the president instructed Health Minister Ana María Vesga to personally oversee the case and ensure the child receives urgent medical assistance. Lucas, who was born with a congenital heart defect, has undergone three open-heart surgeries and currently uses oxygen regularly. His condition has worsened over time, prompting his mother to seek authorization from Nueva EPS for advanced diagnostic tests and catheterization at a high-level clinic, which would allow him to be placed on a heart transplant waiting list. Despite these efforts, the family had faced delays and bureaucratic hurdles in securing the needed care. In his message to the president, Lucas expressed his fears about his future and emphasized his desire to become a professional to support his family. He described himself as intelligent and well-performing in school, but warned that without timely intervention, his life could be in danger. He concluded his plea with a reference to the national motto, "Firme por la Patria," underscoring the gravity of his situation. President De La Espriella responded swiftly to the child’s appeal, issuing instructions to the minister of health to take charge of the case immediately. He criticized the system for allowing a child to have to plead for survival, stating that no one should have to beg for their life. The president directed the minister to locate the family, review their situation with Nueva EPS, and guarantee that Lucas receives all necessary examinations, treatments, and specialized care. Health Minister Ana María Vesga confirmed she had reached out to the family and shared details about their circumstances. She revealed that Lucas has eight siblings and his father is also ill, adding to the family's burden. The minister highlighted that the mother, Andrea, has been struggling for more than a year to obtain a response from Nueva EPS, which has delayed critical medical interventions for her son. According to Vesga, Nueva EPS, along with the Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia and the Hospital Víctor Raúl Castillo, have offered hope to this family in Cúcuta. She stressed that no patient is alone and that the government is committed to ensuring every life matters. Her comments reflect a broader effort to address systemic issues within the healthcare sector, particularly regarding access to essential services for vulnerable patients. The case has drawn public attention and raised questions about the efficiency and responsiveness of the country's health insurance system. While Nueva EPS has now pledged to provide the necessary treatment, the delay in processing Lucas’s request has sparked concerns about the administrative challenges faced by families seeking urgent medical care. The involvement of the president and the health minister signals a heightened focus on resolving such cases promptly and effectively. Lucas’s story has resonated beyond his immediate community, highlighting the struggles many face in accessing timely healthcare. As the situation unfolds, the actions taken by Nueva EPS and the government will be closely monitored to determine whether they can prevent further deterioration of the child’s health and set a precedent for similar cases. The outcome of this intervention will likely influence how such emergencies are handled in the future.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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3 reports

El Tiempo logoEl TiempoIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 909/2/2026
Attention Cartagena: emergency rooms at the Gestión Salud San Fernando Clinic are temporarily closed for remodeling

The article reports on the temporary closure of emergency services at the San Fernando clinic of Clínica Gestión Salud in Cartagena due to infrastructure renovation works. The Department Administrative District of Health (Dadis) activated an emergency plan in coordination with the Center for Regulation of Urgencies, Emergencies and Disasters (CRUED) to mitigate the impact on the healthcare network and ensure continued service to residents of the Industrial Zone and the Bay area. Authorities confirmed that the clinic notified health promotion entities (EPS) 20 days in advance, adhering to Resolution 3100 of 2019. Maria Paulina Osorio Cortina, director of Operational Surveillance and Control of Dadis, emphasized prioritizing patient care and requested the clinic to implement alternatives to minimize community impact during renovations. The article outlines alternative emergency care locations, including the María Auxiliadora clinic, the ESE Hospital Cartagena de Indias, and the Hospital Nelson Mandela, with specialized staff support. The CRUED will maintain a technical team on-site to oversee service modulation and referrals.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of a planned infrastructure project affecting healthcare services, with emphasis on administrative coordination and adherence to regulatory protocols. While the subject involves public administration and health policy, which are politically sensitive, the tone,

Why factuality (85): The article provides clear information about the temporary closure of emergency services at a clinic due to renovation, citing official protocols and authorities. It includes specific dates, names of officials, and references to regulatory documents, supporting its factual claims with reliable sourc

Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting facts without emotional language. It focuses on procedural updates and administrative actions, avoiding subjective interpretations or opinionated statements.

El Tiempo logoEl TiempoIndependentProgressiveFactual 80Objective 608/29/2026
President De la Espriella orders immediate attention for Lucas Murillo, a child from Cúcuta who asked for medical help for his heart: 'I don't want to die'

Presidente Abelardo De La Espriella ordenó a la ministra de Salud, Ana María Vesga, intervenir de inmediato en el caso del niño Lucas Francesco Murillo García, de siete años de Cúcuta, quien padece una cardiopatía severa y requiere un trasplante de corazón. El niño envió un mensaje al presidente solicitando su ayuda, explicando que su condición es crítica y que no quiere morir. Desde hace un año, la madre del niño había intentado obtener autorización para exámenes y tratamientos mediante la Nueva EPS sin recibir respuesta. El presidente destacó la necesidad de actuar rápidamente para evitar que el sistema de salud demore en atender casos urgentes. La ministra de Salud se puso en contacto con la familia y anunció que revisará la situación.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the situation as a direct intervention by the president to address a critical healthcare issue, emphasizing the urgency and moral imperative of the child's case. The language highlights the failure of the healthcare system and the need for immediate governmental action, which is a

Why factuality (80): This article provides detailed information about the president's response, including direct quotes from his social media post. The facts about Lucas's condition and the family's struggle with Nueva EPS are consistent with the other article and cross-source consensus. It also mentions the child's mes

Why objectivity (60): The article has a more urgent and emotionally charged tone, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the need for immediate action. While this is understandable given the subject matter, it leans toward a narrative that supports the child's cause rather than presenting a purely objective account

Semana logoSemanaIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 609/2/2026
Luck that can turn into hope

The article discusses the impact of a major earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, resulting in over 300 deaths and more than 4,500 injuries. It highlights the human stories behind the statistics, emphasizing the emotional and physical toll on families and individuals. The piece then shifts focus to the role of legal gambling, specifically lottery sales, in funding healthcare resources. As the manager of the Cundinamarca Lottery, the author argues that purchasing a lottery ticket is not just a personal choice but a collective responsibility that contributes to public health initiatives. The article concludes by promoting the Christmas Lottery draw, which will generate significant funds for medical care, suggesting that buying tickets can be seen as an act of hope and shared responsibility.

Bias read (Center): While the article touches on public policy related to healthcare funding through legal gambling, it does not take a clear ideological stance. Instead, it presents both the tragedy and the potential positive outcome of lottery contributions to public health, maintaining a balanced perspective. The ph

Why factuality (75): The article describes a earthquake in Colombia on August 10th with casualties and personal stories, aligning with the cross-source consensus. However, it lacks specific details like location, exact time, and official sources, making some claims less verifiable. The focus on the lottery and health co

Why objectivity (60): The tone is emotionally charged, focusing on human stories and using phrases like 'tragedy' and 'reflexion' that may lean towards a more empathetic perspective. While not overtly biased, the narrative structure emphasizes emotional impact over objective reporting.

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