Father's Desperate Act Highlights Healthcare Crisis in La Guajira

In Maicao, La Guajira, Colombia, a desperate father's act of setting fire to a local health center has sparked outrage and debate about healthcare access. The incident occurred on May 26th, when the father, whose 9-year-old son was suffering from eye injuries, claimed repeated delays in receiving adequate medical attention. "They never gave us the appointment," the boy's mother, Carmenza España, told Noticias Caracol. "They didn't answer, they didn't answer, they didn't answer, and the appointment was lost." The father's actions resulted in significant damage to the Cajacopi EPS facility, but miraculously, no one suffered serious injuries. Police quickly apprehended the father, and the child was transferred to Barranquilla for specialized care. Roberto Solano, the manager of Cajacopi EPS, confirmed the child had been receiving treatment, stating that on May 27th, the boy received his first consultation in Riohacha. The incident underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare access and responsiveness in the region.