by Valeria Heredia
The Organic Health Code (COS), approved on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 in the National Assembly, is a legal norm that brings together more than 40 laws, decrees and reforms related to the health system in the country. Processing of the text began in May 2012, the year in which a first draft was entered. Four years later, in 2016, a new initiative began, which included topics such as strengthening the first level of care (medical centers) and health prevention and promotion. In addition, comprehensive care for diseases such as cancer.
Rights in the COS
The COS guarantees access to health, in a universal, permanent, timely, effective, efficient, quality, comprehensive manner. All people have the right to the promotion and prevention of diseases, especially those who are part of risk groups, such as the elderly, with catastrophic or chronic illnesses, children, adolescents, deprived of liberty, etc.
In addition, recovery, rehabilitation and palliative care are guaranteed. In this sense, the National Authority will dictate public policies aimed at achieving these ends. The entities of the health system must have the necessary budgets to meet this goal. Anyone visiting a medical center should receive care and the information or treatment provided should be kept confidential. Another of the rights is to information, participation and social control.
Contraceptive methods and family planning
The norm guarantees access to contraceptive methods without discrimination, for which reason public health establishments must deliver them to whoever requires it; as well as providing information about them. Professionals are prohibited from refusing to prescribe, implant, apply or perform the contraceptive procedure chosen by the users, unless there are medical reasons for doing so. It is also stated that family planning programs and services will be provided, with the aim of deciding when and when they will have children. This will be done without the need for the consent of third parties. Read more via El Comercio