Building a healthier future with five new hospitals in Colombia

Our team in Colombia helped to deliver five new hospitals in Bogotá, bringing high-quality, modern healthcare to thousands of residents.

Bogotá’s public hospitals were overcrowded and outdated. Patients faced long waits and limited access. To fix this, the city launched a hospital program in its 2016–2019 Development Plan.

The plan included five new hospital buildings across the city. Three replaced old facilities; two were built on new sites. In total, the program added 2,000 beds, including more than 1,100 net new ones.

These hospitals do more than treat patients. They also serve as teaching centers, research hubs, and accredited centers of excellence. Each is part of a new subnetwork within Bogotá’s Integrated Health System.

We worked with National Finance Development (FDN) and the city’s health department to guide the program from start to finish.

FDN is one of Colombia’s top infrastructure agencies. It helps public bodies plan projects, test feasibility, and secure funding. With strong technical skills, it supports roads, airports, ports, energy, schools, and hospitals, getting vital projects off the ground.

In planning, we studied hospital needs, shaped the PPP model, and set fair rules for sharing risk. During bidding, we prepared tender documents, supported outreach, and helped review offers. In delivery, we advised on contract management and kept communication flowing between all parties.

All five hospitals were managed at the same time. This required strong coordination and clear leadership.

The plan added five new hospitals across the city. Three replaced older buildings. Two were built on new sites. Together, they delivered 2,000 beds, including more than 1,100 that were brand new.

We also brought together government agencies and private partners. Everyone worked within a clear framework for delivery. Most importantly, we guided Colombia’s first use of a PPP in healthcare. This built confidence in the model and created a path for future projects.

By adding 2,000 beds, we were able to reduce overcrowding, shorten wait times, and ease pressure on the health system. Patients now get care in modern, safe facilities. These hospitals meet international standards and provide a more dignified environment.

The hospitals are also teaching centers for doctors, nurses, and other professionals. They serve as research hubs that support innovation and raise the quality of care in Colombia.

The health network itself is stronger. Referral systems and emergency response are faster and more reliable. For Bogotá’s residents, the benefits are clear: quicker treatment, better continuity of care, and hospitals designed for both today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth.

This was Colombia’s first healthcare PPP. Roles, risks, and rules had to be defined from the ground up. We helped by adapting proven global models. We set clear performance standards and trained local teams to manage PPP contracts. This created a strong foundation for future projects in health and education.

Client perspective: “With the delivery of the new Bosa Hospital, the first public hospital in the country built under a Public-Private Partnership model, it is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology and qualified staff. It provides improved healthcare services to the residents of the southwestern area of the capital.” Dr. Alejandro Gómez, Secretariat of Health of Bogotá, December 2023

Currie & Brown perspective: “Our role was to make sure the hospitals were viable, modern, and in line with Colombia’s rules. By combining planning, healthcare, and PPP expertise, we created facilities that will support Bogotá’s public health system for years to come.”

The hospital program brought new capacity, modern facilities, and a stronger health system to Bogotá. It also delivered Colombia’s first healthcare PPP model. This was a turning point for the country’s social infrastructure.