The Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection is the national executive ministry of the Government of Colombia responsible for coordinating and implementing the national policy and social services relating to health and social security. The aim of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, within the framework of its powers, is to formulate, adopt, manage, coordinate, implement and evaluate public policy in matters pertaining to health.
Functions
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection, in addition to the functions specified in the Constitution and Article 59 of Law 489 of 1998, shall perform the following:
- Formulate the policy, direct, guide, implement and evaluate plans, programs and projects of the Administrative Sector of Health and Social Protection.
- Formulate the policy, direct, guide, implement and evaluate plans, programs and projects on Health and Social Protection.
- Formulate the policy, direct, guide, implement and evaluate the implementation, plans, programs and projects of the national government in health, public health, occupational hazards and control of the risks arising from common, environmental, health and psychosocial illnesses affecting individuals, groups, families or communities.
- Formulate, implement, coordinate the implementation and evaluate strategies to promote health and quality of life, and prevention and control of communicable diseases and non-communicable chronic diseases.
- Direct and guide the system of public health surveillance.
- Develop, implement and coordinate the actions of the national government in matters concerning health in emergency or natural disaster situations.
- Promote and provide guidelines for strengthening research, investigation, procurement, dissemination and implementation of national and international developments on issues such as the care, promotion, protection, development of health and quality of life and prevention of disease.
- Develop and evaluate policies, plans, programs and projects related to user protection, promotion and prevention, health and occupational hazard insurance, service provision and primary care, financing and information systems and other components of the Social Security System in Health.
- Develop, implement and evaluate drug policy, drugs, devices, supplies and biomedical technology, and establish and develop mechanisms and strategies to optimize their use.
- Establish mechanisms to conduct price negotiations for drugs, supplies and medical devices.