Table 4.

Public health surveillance responsibilities in the Colombian healthcare system

Activities	Responsible
Public health surveillance	National Health Institute (INS), Departments and municipalities (local health secretaries)
Sample testing	Public and private health providers (private clinical laboratories and health secretaries)
Payers (who pay for the service)	Health insurance companies (EPS), prepaid insurance companies, for patients with no payment capacity: public health services
Enforcement of health regulations and insurance contracts	Ministry of Health