Mexico to Federalize Health System
The Mexican president and 23 governors sign historic agreement to federalize the health system
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, in a momentous occasion, inked the National Agreement for the Federalization of the Health System for Well-being, alongside governors and representatives from 23 states. This landmark pact secures the inalienable right to comprehensive, high-quality medical care, universally accessible and free, for 53.2 million Mexicans, as reported in a press release by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
The accord is set to be a boon for 80% of the population who lack social security coverage in the nation. Moreover, it encompasses the transfer of 707 hospitals and 13,966 health centers into the IMSS Bienestar network.
Zoé Robledo Aburto, the Director-General of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), enthusiastically acknowledged the significance of this move, dubbing IMSS Bienestar as the world’s largest public healthcare system. He emphasized that this achievement was only possible under a transformative administration like President López Obrador’s.
In a morning press conference, the President expressed his gratitude to the governors who prioritized the common good, the welfare of the people, and the nation by embracing this agreement.
He described this as a monumental step because it signified a collective commitment to enhance the entire public healthcare system. This pursuit of an ideal, he contended, was a noble and profoundly human endeavor. Though the journey might be arduous, the quest for this ideal morally fortifies us and is deeply fulfilling. Even if it seems distant, it is an aspiration worth pursuing, and we must persist in our pursuit, he emphasized.
The IMSS Wellbeing Plan will bring the Wellbeing Care Model into action, ushering in a unified input management system across all hospitals to ensure the timely dispensation of free prescriptions. Additionally, it will introduce initiatives focused on early childhood development, mental health, and the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases.
The general director of IMSS announced that ongoing efforts will maintain, conserve, and equip medical facilities, resulting in additional operating rooms, intensive care units, neonatal care facilities, and offices across the 23 states.
Mexico’s government will classify all healthcare workers while guaranteeing the availability of general and specialized medical and nursing staff through recruitment drives.
In the 23 states that have embraced the IMSS Bienestar Health Plan, more than 30 previously abandoned hospitals from previous administrations will be revived, thanks to restoration, construction, and equipment upgrades.
Américo Villarreal Anaya, the governor of Tamaulipas, representing the participating states, underscored the historic and profound nature of this agreement in advancing the healthcare of millions of Mexicans. He emphasized the administration’s strong commitment to health policies and actions that enhance the well-being and opportunities of Mexican citizens.
However, nine states have chosen not to participate in the federalization agreement: Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Querétaro, and Yucatán. These states represent the remaining 20% of the population without access to free medical services, and state authorities will assume responsibility for health matters.
President López Obrador reiterated his commitment to the full operation of the IMSS Bienestar Health Plan by March 2024, with an unlimited budget allocated for this purpose. He emphasized that health is a fundamental right for all Mexicans, regardless of their economic or social status.
The President also outlined plans for the creation of a central pharmacy, the largest in Mexico, housing a comprehensive range of medications. This pharmacy aims to supply medical facilities across the country promptly when they require medications, even those available in other countries. The acquisition of a warehouse for this purpose is underway and will be operational by December of this year.
He concluded by emphasizing the aspiration that any individual, regardless of their location, can access the required medications within 24 hours, ensuring that no one is left without necessary treatment.
Soledad Quartucci | CEO/Founder, Latina Republic
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