There are 3.8 million Colombians with rare diseases that the government cannot treat due to lack of funding, according to the Ministry of Social Protection, Caracol Radio reported Friday.
“The problem was procedure of the law, they would have to return to a discussion in Congress because they have to discuss it with those who have the authority and responsibility with the financing, that is the finance minister,” ministry director Orlando Gracia told Caracol.
The director said that many of these people are abandoned and neglected by the health system.
Findings such as these will be discussed in the upcoming 2nd National Forum of Orphan Diseases in the Health System of Colombia in Bogota on March 3.
February 28 will mark the 4th anniversary of the international Rare Disease Day, started in 2008 to raise awareness around the world of the issue.