Establishing tropical medicine as a recognized medical specialty or strengthening its training within infectious diseases residency programs in Colombia: an urgent need

Colombia is entirely located within the tropical latitudinal zone and is characterized by extensive biodiversity, complex ecosystems, and socio-environmental inequities that contribute to the sustained persistence of a wide range of tropical diseases. Despite the high prevalence and public health impact of these conditions, tropical medicine is not currently recognized as a clinical specialty in Colombia, and its inclusion within infectious diseases residency programs remains limited, fragmented, and primarily hospital-centered. As a result, future specialists may complete their training with insufficient clinical experience in endemic tropical diseases, particularly those affecting rural and marginalized populations. Although research-oriented postgraduate programs in tropical medicine exist, clinical training and direct patient management are largely absent. In contrast, several countries in Europe, North America, and Latin America have adopted specialized educational models that integrate fieldwork, interdisciplinary curricula, and strong clinical components to strengthen expertise in tropical medicine. To reduce persistent health inequities and enhance national preparedness for emerging tropical threats, Colombia urgently needs to strengthen tropical medicine training, either by expanding and standardizing content within existing infectious diseases residency programs or by establishing a dedicated clinical postgraduate specialty. Strengthening academic and clinical capacity in this field would improve patient care, promote applied research, and support evidence-based strategies for managing tropical diseases nationwide.