On March 3, Colombian President Iván Duque appointed the new Minister of Health, Fernando Ruiz Gómez, and assigned a list of objectives for his administration, including the adoption of e-invoicing in the health system, e-health records and the regulation of telemedicine. 

Paraguay is also making progress with its digital health agenda, as it is evaluating options to incorporate a digital medical record register, as well as an online shift management mechanism and medication inventory designed for hospitals. 

In reference to the move to incorporate digital medical records, Duque said that Ruiz Gómez “will face the challenge of tackling the next stage in the medical online and digital record system, developed together with Congress (Law 2015 of 2020), which will improve services for citizens, allowing for progress in areas such as Telemedicine.” He explained that this system will allow “accurate diagnoses to be made all over the country, without citizens having to permanently retake tests when they move from one place to another in Colombia.” As for technology, Duque urged the Health Minister to speed up processes to regulate telemedicine. 

Regarding health e-invoicing, Duque said that this measure will allow for the “timely identification of fraudulent practices, so that corruption may be punished in exemplary form.” The Ministry of Health has presented a draft decree defining the guidelines for health e-invoicing which will be available for comment until March 20. Interested parties may submit their comments to the following e-mail address: [email protected].