Proposal for the Reconceptualization of Social Participation in Health

Introduction: This article reflects on a conception of social participation in health proposed by the author on the basis of her practice, intended to increase an understanding of this concept in order to analyze the capital city’s Policy for Social Participation in Health. Development: The concept of participation is addressed through an analysis of the context of social participation in Colombia and its practice in the country, and its reconceptualization to favour collective action on health, on the basis of which it is proposed to promote the practice of social participation as a right. Conclusions: City policy links the concept of participation with notions of power and human rights. It entails the concept of citizenship with respect to health, producing subjects that go beyond being recipients of information and users of health services. It is embedded in the conception of participation underlying Law 100, including participation in decision-making. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of implementation are based on representation, rather than participation in the decisions produced. Conceptually, the goal is to achieve human well-being and social development, a broad vision of health beyond the absence of disease. Policy mechanisms focus on providing care, though, promoting the concept of health in the context of disease, and on receiving services rather than enjoying a right. We propose a perspective that entails unshackling participation from the instrumental logic of the health care system and reframing social participation in health.