Resumen
El turismo médico se ha consolidado como un fenómeno global que redefine las fronteras del comercio internacional de servicios. En este contexto, Colombia se perfila como un país con potencial competitivo para la exportación de servicios de salud hacia regiones de Centroamérica y el Caribe, donde persisten brechas estructurales en el acceso y la calidad sanitaria. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar las oportunidades, desafíos y proyecciones de la internacionalización de los servicios de salud colombianos hacia estos territorios. Se desarrolla una investigación de enfoque cualitativo, de alcance descriptivo y diseño de revisión de la literatura, sustentada en fuentes científicas y organismos internacionales publicadas entre 2017 y 2021. Los resultados evidencian que la acreditación internacional, la adopción de la telemedicina, las alianzas estratégicas y el marketing culturalmente adaptado son factores determinantes para fortalecer la competitividad del sector. Asimismo, se identifican oportunidades derivadas de las limitaciones estructurales de los sistemas de salud del Caribe y Centroamérica, que demandan cooperación bilateral y diplomacia sanitaria. Se concluye que la internacionalización hospitalaria colombiana, más allá de ser una estrategia económica, constituye un instrumento de diplomacia en salud y un mecanismo de integración regional que puede contribuir a la equidad sanitaria y al posicionamiento global del país.
Citas
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