Patients Colombia demands a retraction from Senator Wilson Arias for 'false and inaccurate' statements in Congress

Patients Colombia, a citizens' platform made up of 202 patient organizations across the country, demanded an immediate retraction from Senator Wilson Arias after what it described as "serious, unfounded and inaccurate statements" made during a debate in the Seventh Committee of Congress, within the framework of the discussion on health reform.

In his statement, the congressman asserted that the organization was part of an initiative called the Colombian Healthy Association, which—he claimed—was registered as a Health Service Provider Institution (IPS) with the authorization codes 500107904 and 811037901. He also pointed to the existence of alleged commercial ties and millions of dollars in revenue associated with these entities.

However, Pacientes Colombia (Patients Colombia) called these claims “completely false” and warned that the senator had confused two unrelated entities. In a statement, the movement clarified that it is not a healthcare provider (IPS), is non-profit, does not make financial investments, and does not sell medical products. Its work, they emphasized, is limited to defending patients' rights and highlighting the structural flaws in the Colombian healthcare system.

“Today, Senator Wilson Arias, without investigation, without rigor, and with an overflowing capacity for ignorance, persecution, and hatred toward patient organizations, has fabricated a false positive in the Seventh Committee,” stated Denis Silva, spokesperson for Patients Colombia. “If he would bother to simply search online, he would discover the difference between a healthcare provider (IPS) and an association or an NGO,” he added.

The organization lamented that a legislator is using his position to spread false information, which, they denounced, puts at risk the credibility and safety of social leaders who work for patients' rights.

In Silva's words, the senator's statements represent "a smear campaign" against the citizen movement and constitute an attack against democracy and the voice of those who fight to improve the health system.

“Wilson Arias wants, at all costs, to silence the voice of patients with lies, deception, and false positives. We hold the senator responsible if anything happens to any of the leaders of the 202 organizations of Patients Colombia,” the spokesperson stated.

Given the seriousness of the incident, Pacientes Colombia announced that it will demand an immediate public retraction from Senator Arias, as well as recognition of the organization's independent and non-profit status. It also requested that the work it has carried out in defending the rights of thousands of users of the healthcare system be acknowledged.

Additionally, the movement reported that it will request to be heard by the Seventh Committee of the Senate in order to clarify the facts and reject what it considers acts of persecution and political violence against patient organizations.

The statement adds that legal action will be initiated to formally demand the right of reply and require the congressman to retract his statements.

The organization emphasized that legislative debates must be based on verifiable facts, not unfounded accusations. “Political debate cannot be based on lies or persecution. Legislators have a duty to verify information before making judgments that affect the honor and work of legitimate citizen organizations,” the statement read.

Finally, Pacientes Colombia reiterated its commitment to transparency, independence, and social work, and reaffirmed that it will continue to defend the violated rights of users of the healthcare system. “Health is a fundamental right, not a favor,” the statement concludes, alluding to the principle that guides the movement's work.

Environment and Health Journalist