Eli Salomé, the girl who asks Famisanar EPS, intervened by the Petro government, for her medication for a rare disease: "Without it, I'd die."
Salomé is one of the thousands of people affected by the drug crisis plaguing the country. Her mother desperately explained in a post on X that Salomé suffers from severe pulmonary hypertension, "a rare and deadly disease."
Salomé's mother's social media post is accompanied by a video in which the minor is seen pleading for help with her medications, arguing that she cannot live without them.
Hello, I'm a pulmonary patient. I'm Salome. Today I need help with my medications because I have a catheter and a machine. If the medication inside runs out, I'll die.
#ATTENTION . Eli Salomé suffers from severe pulmonary hypertension, a condition that could be fatal if she doesn't receive her medication (Remodulin). Her parents' desperation forced them to make a video showing the minor demanding that @EPS_Famisanar deliver the medication URGENTLY. pic.twitter.com/NF2jz4IjqX
— Colombia Oscura (@ColombiaOscura_) September 9, 2025
The minor stated that she urgently needs help from the EPS Famisanar to access her medications. "Famisanar, please help me. Because I need, I need, please, for them to give me my medications, or I can't live, I can't, I can't love my family."
What is severe pulmonary hypertension? According to the Mayo Clinic, pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
In one type of pulmonary hypertension, called pulmonary arterial hypertension, the blood vessels in the lungs become narrowed, blocked, or destroyed. The damage makes it difficult for blood to flow to the lungs. Pressure in the pulmonary arteries increases. The heart must work harder to pump blood to the lungs. Over time, the extra effort causes the heart muscle to weaken and fail.
Lungs Photo: iStock
The clinic's website explained that in some people, pulmonary hypertension slowly worsens, clarifying that it can even be fatal. Furthermore, there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension; however, there are treatments that will help you feel better, live longer, and improve your quality of life.
Symptoms According to the clinic's website, symptoms of pulmonary hypertension develop slowly. They may not be noticed for months or even years. Symptoms worsen as the disease progresses.
Symptoms of pulmonary hypertension include:
- Shortness of breath. It may begin during exercise and eventually occur at rest.
- Blue or gray skin. Depending on your skin color, these changes may be more or less noticeable.
- Pressure or pain in the chest.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Rapid pulse or pounding heartbeat.
- Fatigue.
- Swelling in the ankles, legs, and abdomen area.
- These symptoms can be caused by many health conditions. Consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Lungs Photo: istock
Although Famisanar maintains that the contract termination was due to errors in the distribution of medications , Colsubsidio emphasized that the agreement comes amid a multi-million-dollar debt exceeding 781 billion pesos. Of this, 208 billion pesos are dedicated to medication distribution and 572 billion pesos to medical services offered in its network of clinics and outpatient care centers.
In an interview with EL TIEMPO, the president of Colsubsidio, Luis Carlos Arango, stated that although Famisanar has reported payments of more than 2 billion pesos since September 2023, it has not been clear about the outstanding obligations.
"They say how much they've paid, but not how much they owe," he said. Arango warns that the situation has become unsustainable, to the point that Colsubsidio has had to continue delivering medications with its own resources due to the EPS's nonpayment.
The National Health Superintendency has decided to extend the mandatory intervention of the EPS Famisanar until September 15, 2025. This ruling is based on the assessment that, despite some progress during the year of intervention, the EPS failed to achieve the objectives established in its action plan.
Famisanar's financial situation remains critical, as it does not meet the financial qualification requirements, including minimum capital and technical reserves.
The EPS was cited for failing to address the protection gaps, which has been reflected in the monthly reports submitted to the Superintendency of Health. The lack of compliance with court orders has raised concerns among users and health authorities.
It also struggles to keep track of contracts with healthcare providers, further worsening the quality of care it provides to its members.
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