ORANJESTAD, Aruba – Bermudez Visits Colombia International Hospital in Bucaramanga as Aruba parliamentarian Ing. Carlos Bermudez sought a closer look at the specialized treatments, medical technology and services available to patients referred from Aruba for care abroad.
Bermudez recently visited the Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) in Bucaramanga, located in Colombia’s Santander department. The parliamentarian said the visit was important because many Aruban residents are referred to the institution when they require specialized medical treatment that may not be available on the island.
The initial contact with HIC developed after Bermudez received an invitation from ProColombia to participate in the “Santander llega a Aruba” event held on July 2 at JOIA by Iberostar Aruba. During that gathering, he met and spoke with several representatives of Hospital Internacional de Colombia.
When Bermudez later travelled to Bucaramanga, he coordinated an informal visit to the hospital so he could personally see its facilities and gain a better understanding of the experience of Aruban patients receiving treatment there.
During the visit, Bermudez met with Dr. Víctor Raul Castillo Mantilla, CEO of HIC; María Camila Serrano, Director of International Business; Dr. Evaristo Jose Vega Fernandez, Vice President of Health at FCV; and Laura Miranda, Head of International Operations.
Hospital representatives provided Bermudez with information about the examinations, medical procedures and specialized treatments offered at the institution. He also learned more about HIC Cardiovascular, a highly specialized center dedicated to heart surgery and other cardiovascular procedures.
One development that particularly impressed Bermudez was information provided by the hospital regarding a robotic-assisted heart procedure reportedly performed one day before his visit. According to the explanation he received, the surgeon directing the procedure was physically located in New Delhi, India, while the patient was in Bucaramanga, approximately 15,000 kilometres away.
Hospital representatives said the procedure was supported through a fiber-optic connection and included a backup connection designed to reduce the risk of interruption in the event of a technical failure. The account reflects information presented to Bermudez during his hospital visit.
Bermudez Visits Colombia International Hospital as part of his effort to better understand the level of care and infrastructure available to Aruban patients abroad. On the third day of his stay, he participated in a broader tour of HIC guided by Laura Miranda.
The tour included the reception area for international patients, several types of patient rooms, the oncology floor and other important medical departments. Bermudez also visited the HIC Cardiovascular building to observe its specialized facilities.
At the conclusion of the visit, Bermudez said he was highly impressed by the hospital’s technology, innovation, infrastructure and standard of medical care.
He emphasized that Aruba should continue strengthening relationships with specialized healthcare institutions abroad, particularly because many residents depend on overseas treatment for complex medical conditions.
According to Bermudez, visiting the facilities personally and speaking directly with healthcare professionals helps policymakers better understand both the treatment process and the needs of Aruban patients referred overseas.
The parliamentarian thanked the management and staff of Hospital Internacional de Colombia for their openness, hospitality and willingness to share information during his visit.
He concluded his remarks with the message that health remains one of society’s greatest forms of wealth.
