Colombia’s HIC: A Regional Lifeline for Caribbean Healthcare

Bucaramanga, Colombia: The Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC), a leading medical complex in Bucaramanga, has emerged as a pivotal healthcare hub for the Caribbean. Governments and insurers from across the region, including Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, St. Maarten, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Suriname, are partnering with HIC to access specialized treatments often unavailable or cost-prohibitive locally.

60+

medical specialties offered at HIC (Spanning cardiovascular, oncology, orthopedics, transplants, and more)

Meeting Unmet Needs with Advanced Services

HIC’s facilities—including the Cardiovascular Institute and Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC)—offer over 60 specialties, targeting high-complexity needs that are often underserved in island nations. Formal agreements with Caribbean health ministries and insurers ensure streamlined access and affordability.

17,000+

heart surgeries performed by HIC that meet or exceed global benchmarks.

Key areas of expertise include:

• Cardiovascular Care: Recognized as Colombia’s top cardiac center and among the best in Latin America, HIC has performed over 17,000 heart surgeries with outcomes that meet or exceed global benchmarks, including being awarded several Centers of Excellence accreditations by Joint Commission International.
• Oncology: The HIC Cancer Institute delivers advanced cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, precision radiotherapy, and clinical trials, helping to fill critical gaps in oncology services across Caribbean nations.
• Neurosurgery: HIC offers advanced neurosurgical procedures and has been a pioneer in transplant medicine in Colombia.
• Orthopedics and Robotic Surgery: The Orthopedics and Traumatology Institute specializes in complex interventions, including robotic joint replacements and minimally invasive spine surgeries.
• Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Care: High-risk pregnancies and premature births are managed through state-of-the-art maternal and neonatal units, providing critical care not readily available in smaller health systems.
• Critical Care and Burn Treatment: A newly built Comprehensive Burn Unit and in-house air ambulance services ensure HIC is equipped to handle complex emergencies, even offering ECMO support and international retrieval.

Strategic Partnerships Driving Access

HIC International Office facilitates partnerships with Caribbean public health entities and insurers like Aruba’s AZV and Trinidad’s Children’s Life Fund. These alliances remove bureaucratic barriers and pre-negotiate costs, allowing island patients to receive care more efficiently. HIC also collaborates with private insurers such as BUPA and Europ Assistance to support self-paying and insured individuals.

In 2023, HIC co-hosted the Caribbean National Health Financing Conference, bringing regional policymakers to Bucaramanga to explore solutions for overseas care integration. The event emphasized HIC’s role in strengthening Universal Health Coverage in the Caribbean.

 50–70%

 lower costs than North American or European providers make HIC’s world-class care more accessible

Why HIC Stands Out

• International Accreditation: HIC is accredited by Joint Commission International and ranked among Latin America’s top hospitals. It partners with leading institutions like the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
• Integrated Campus Model: HIC’s 1,200-bed facility brings together diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, and family accommodations under one roof, streamlining care for complex, multi-specialty cases.
• Affordability: FCV offers world-class care at 50–70% lower costs than North American or European providers, making it a cost-effective solution for both governments and individuals.
• Proximity and Accessibility: Just a few hours’ flight from the Caribbean, Colombia offers visa flexibility, cultural familiarity, bilingual support, and a warm, patient-focused approach that appeals to Caribbean populations.
• Personalized, Holistic Care: HIC provides concierge-level support for international patients, from airport transfers to daily rounds and translation, ensuring a stress-free experience throughout the treatment journey.

A Model for Regional Healthcare Cooperation

HIC’s impact reflects the growing role of South America as a global health destination. Colombia’s investment in high-complexity care has made it a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional medical tourism routes in North America or Europe.

With a focus on collaboration, affordability, and excellence, HIC continues to strengthen its ties with Caribbean nations—offering a practical and compassionate solution to regional healthcare gaps. As Caribbean health systems evolve, HIC stands as a reliable extension, transforming medical challenges into successful outcomes through regional cooperation.