Care of people living with HIV in the Colombian Health System: perspectives of patients, caregivers and health personnel

BACKGROUND // Health policies and programs for people living with HIV have been subordinated to current economic policies based on the neoliberal development model that shapes the current healthcare system. The study's objective was to analyze the influence of the Colombian health system on the care of people who lived with HIV enrolled in the Subsidized Regime through Benefit Plan Administrating Entities and treated in Neiva (Colombia). METHODS // A qualitative study framed within the framework of the Critical Discourse Analysis was conducted. Nineteen people participated, including HIV patients, non-formal caregivers, and health workers. The participants were recruited from two Health Service Providers Institutions in the city of Neiva. In-depth interviews were conducted. Data were coded, categorized and organized in Excel for analysis. RESULTS // The interpersonal relationship and the health system functioning were two phenomena that interfered with caring for people with HIV by favoring or imposing barriers to practices. Failures were found in the informative-educational process from the moment of diagnosis, stigmatization, and discrimination, particularly in non-HIV-specialized health institutions, and multiple barriers to access to health services. 55.5% of the patients expressed having been discriminated against by health personnel at some point since their diagnosis. 100% of the patients interviewed identified different types of barriers to health services, contextualized in improper treatment, untimely care and abuse of power; only 22.2% resorted to the filing of complaints, petition rights or guardianships to claim their right to health. CONCLUSIONS // Health care praxis is carried out regardless of patients' situation, forgetting that those from a lower socioeconomic level have greater structural vulnerability related to poverty. The lack of healthcare exacerbates health inequalities.