The number of judicial tutelas for health services access in Colombia rose 17.92% in 2025, reaching nearly 312,500 cases from 265,000 in 2024. The Defensoría del Pueblo reports this upward trend, accounting for 34% of total judicial actions. Demands mainly address delays in appointments, medications, and treatments.
Figures from the Defensoría del Pueblo show an increase of about 47,500 health-related tutelas between 2024 and 2025. This 17.92% growth highlights structural problems in Colombia's health system, per recent reports.
These tutelas now make up 34% of all judicial actions in the country. Citizens primarily seek remedies for delays in specialist appointments, medication delivery, treatment access, hospitalizations, and surgical procedures.
The analysis points out that the system fails to meet population needs effectively. One example involves cancer patients waiting months for medications and resorting to tutelas to obtain them.
The incoming government, taking office on August 7, 2026, must prioritize addressing this crisis with fundamental measures, reviewing decisions by the outgoing administration.
