San Juan de Dios was Colombia’s most important Hospital since it was created in 1723 by King Phillip V of Spain. In 1867 it became the first Medical Faculty and in the 20th century it developed it’s specialty in trauma becoming role-model for Latinamerica. Though just a few blocks from the Parliament, historic corruption led the Hospital to economic crisis; in 1999 employees stopped receiving salaries. They kept on working for two years until the last patient left. The Hospital has been forgotten and workers are waiting to be dismissed: a decade ago more than 60 families occupied the Hospital.
San Juan de Dios was Colombia’s most important Hospital for centuries since it was created in 1723 by King Phillip V of Spain. In 1867, a few decades after Independence, it became the first Medical Faculty. During the 20th century it developed it’s specialty in trauma and became role model for Latin America. In the ‘San Juan’ the patients ranged from presidents to the most destitute in the country, for it had top technology and offered services for free. Located just a few blocks from the Parliament, historic corruption from administrations, politicians and the union led the Hospital to economic crisis; in 1999 employees stopped receiving salaries. They kept on working under these conditions for two years until the last patient left due to electricity and water shortage. Since then the Hospital has been forgotten and workers are waiting to be officially dismissed. During five years the situation remained in a limbo and in 2006 began a clearance that still goes on, even though it’s under investigation by the major for corruption. Workers got used to a life of struggle and waiting, and more than 60 families occupied the Hospital, where they have lived for over a decade. Others go day after day to comply with their schedule. Since this situation was forgotten ruin has consumed the Hospital and the workers.
This was the scenery when I first went to the Hospital, two years ago. So I decided to build this project following the workers urge to make this conflict visible, for it has no reason of existence in a so-called democracy. I did the project with their help, for the ones in charge of the clearance prohibit photography. Since ‘San Juan sin Dios’ won the Colombia-Swiss National Photography Award in 2011 the Hospital has regained importance in the media and politicians are being forced to face this situation concerning human rights’ violation, health crisis, corruption, and the lack of political commitment to social necessities.