Colombia to Introduce Bill Regulating Aesthetic Clinics After Patient's Death

Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced that the government will present a bill to regulate safety in aesthetic clinics after the death of Yulixa Toloza. The proposed law, named "Yulixa," aims to ensure that only licensed medical surgeons specializing in aesthetic surgery from accredited universities can perform such procedures.

The initiative comes after Toloza disappeared on May 13 following a laser lipolysis procedure at an illegal aesthetic center in southern Bogotá. Her family reported she experienced breathing difficulties and disorientation after the procedure. A witness claimed to have seen two men carry an unconscious Toloza from the establishment and place her in a vehicle, which was later found by authorities in Cúcuta, near the Venezuelan border. Toloza's body was discovered days later in Apulo, Cundinamarca.

Authorities are investigating the responsible parties at the Beauty Láser Medicina Estética center for operating without necessary permits for complex aesthetic procedures. Two Venezuelan citizens have been arrested and are accused of evidence tampering and destruction in connection with Toloza's death.

This legislative effort follows previous attempts to pass similar safety regulations. Journalist Lorena Beltrán, a victim of malpractice by doctor Francisco Sales Puccini, has been a vocal advocate for the "#CirugíaSeguraYa" (Safe Surgery Now) bill. Puccini was sentenced to seven years in prison. Beltrán criticized the lack of protective laws in Colombia, stating, "It cannot be possible that in Colombia we do not have a law that protects us. That prevents beauticians or general practitioners, who take short courses, from leaving mortal victims or women who have to carry injuries on their bodies."