Colombia earthquake: Hospitals adapt to save lives amid widespread damage

What the report says

Health services in Cali, Colombia, have been badly strained after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the west of the country on August 10, damaging hospitals and triggering a large rescue and medical response. Al Jazeera reported that at least four major hospitals and six clinics were damaged in the city, with one public hospital, the University Hospital of the Valle Evaristo Garcia, suffering partial collapse and extensive structural damage.

Because of the damage, medical teams have had to restrict care to the most urgent cases while setting up temporary “expansion zones” in less affected facilities and, in some places, field clinics. City officials said the approach helped prevent the health system from being overwhelmed, supported by volunteers, relief groups and national government assistance. The UN humanitarian office said the hospital system had begun to stabilise as patient admissions slowed, though a red alert remained in place.

The earthquake has left a heavy toll across Colombia, with Al Jazeera citing at least 273 deaths, 3,800 injuries and hundreds still missing nationwide. Cali, a major city and the capital of Valle del Cauca, has been among the worst-hit areas, with dozens of buildings collapsed or damaged. The report also noted that rescue operations continue, and health workers warn the crisis is not over while search teams work against the clock.