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. 2021 Aug 30;11(9):1913–1925. doi: 10.34172/ijhpm.2021.100

Table 1. Overview of Cities’ Demographics and Health Systems .

Case Studies
Bogota Cali Cartagena
Health insurance coverage Population22 7.9 million people 2.3 million people 1.1 million people
Health insurance23

  • Subsidised regime covers 1 470 319 (18.42%)

  • Contributory regime covers 6 378 456 (79.91%)

  • Exception and special regime represents 1.66%

  • Subsidised regime covers 753 825 (31.74%)

  • Contributory regime covers 1 590 179 (66.96%)

  • Exception and special regime represent 1.29%

  • Subsidised regime covers 580 165 (50.20%)

  • Contributory regime covers 552 521 (47.81%)

  • Exception and special regime represent 1.98%
Local health services Delivery of health service Four geographical sub-networks lead the delivery and planning of public health services in the city. Five ESE that operate in Cali and hold a network of hospitals, health centres and health posts. Three subnetworks.
Installed hospital Capacity24

  • 7157 hospital beds

  • 450 intermediate care units

  • 2384 intensive care units

  • 3142 hospital beds

  • 306 intermediate care units

  • 848 intensive care units

  • 1241 hospital beds

  • 197 intermediate care units

  • 360 intensive care units
Policy responses to COVID-19 First case detected March 6, 2020 March 15, 2020 March 8, 2020
ICU Management (primary data) The city through the regulatory centre for emergencies assumed the administration of all ICUs across the private and public sector. The local government with a national regulatory centre for emergencies took control of ICUs through "solidarity bag" strategy. Cartagena did not assume the administration of ICUs because the affectation level by COVID-19 was moderate.
Intersectoral participation (primary data) Intersectoral committees were established with local authorities, universities and private sector. Weekly roundtables meetings were introduced with the participation of intersectoral stakeholders to coordinate the local response to COVID-19.
Expansion of intensive care beds25-27 935 to 2384 749 to 848 200 to 360
Number of university labs per city27 7 1 2
Affectation level by COVID-19 Low, moderate and high affectation28 High High Moderate

Abbreviations: ESE, Spanish acronym for State Social Enterprises; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; ICU, intensive care unit.