Fecode requests an 'urgent' hearing with President Petro regarding the crisis in the new teachers' health model.
In a statement addressed to President Gustavo Petro, the executive committee of the Colombian Federation of Education Workers (Fecode) requested an "urgent" hearing.
Fecode asked the president to address some key points for the agreement's implementation. Photo: MAURICIO MORENO
In the letter, the Federation explains that the Government declared teacher health a state policy, a decision Fecode agreed with and supported in the first phase of Agreement 003 of 2024, which establishes the general guidelines of the teacher health model and its implementation starting May 1, 2024.
“Over the years, the teacher healthcare model, led by the La Previsora Trust, underwent a transformation. Its essence changed so much that financial intermediation and vertical integration became elements of the exempted regime, and with it, the lack of auditing and control; the emergence of thousands of PQRS (Related Claims for Public Health), tutela (Protection of Rights) actions, and arbitration awards in favor of providers; and, as if this were not enough, teacher healthcare indicators reached higher rates than those of the general regime, despite the fact that ours is an exempted regime with 62.67 percent additional funding from the UPC (Uninstitutional Unit of Public Health) to guarantee the exceptions,” the document reads.
Some positive aspects since the implementation of the agreement are highlighted, such as increased contracting with the public health system; a decrease in PQRS (Puncture and Drug Reduction) cases; better distribution of financial resources across hundreds of IPS (Institutionalized Public Health System), ESE (Secondary Schools), and mixed schools; a significant increase in medical consultations and promotion and prevention; and the opening of 174 school medical offices in 32 departments and Bogotá. Furthermore, 96 percent of new teachers have participated in the occupational entrance exam; and almost twice as many medications have been dispensed in one year compared to the previous model.
Fecode requests that the FOMAG Board of Directors meet permanently. Photo: MAURICIO MORENO
However, it is also noted that the transition has not been easy for members. Therefore, the President is asked to address some key points to continue implementation:
- That the FOMAG Board of Directors meet continuously to address the difficulties the model is experiencing in real time, and that the corresponding decisions be made to ensure the contracting of the service in all regions starting August 1 of this year without further delay, effectively exercising oversight and supervision over the implementation of resources.
- A tariff manual should be developed that is consistent with the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of the teaching population, thereby curbing cost overruns and potential abuses in the execution of contracts, especially pay-per-view contracts.
- The national network of teacher health service providers must be established immediately, as current contracts expire on July 31. Stable health services must be guaranteed for teachers and their families, while also providing legal security for providers.
- There is a serious and real commitment on the part of Fiduciaria La Previsora to respect Law 91 of 1989 and strict adherence to Agreement 003 of April 2024 of the FOMAG Board of Directors.
- It is recommended that FOMAG management approve the implementation of the SST program, allocate resources, execute the proposed plan, and rigorously monitor and control the implementation and execution of resources managed by Fiduciaria La Previsora.
- Immediately resolve the medication needs of teachers and our families, ensuring timely treatment requirements for the disease at various levels and degrees of illness.
- The government should demand and request further investigation into the findings of the Comptroller General's Office in its audit of FOMAG, which is managed by the La Previsora Trust. These findings reveal not only difficulties in health, but also in the recognition and payment of social benefits to teachers and beneficiaries.
Fecode calls for an immediate resolution to the drug supply issue. Photo: MAURICIO MORENO
At the end of the document , it states that the new teacher health model is a good goal , and that Fecode's objective is to "unify efforts to quickly overcome difficulties and guide decisions toward providing a dignified and timely service to teachers and our families."
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