Limited resources and lack of preventive services.
Highlights:
- Mexico’s healthcare system suffers from inefficiency, underfunding, and long wait times, with the lowest health coverage among OECD countries.
- Reforms like INSABI and IMSS-Bienestar have failed to address systemic debts, procurement issues, and gender disparities in healthcare access.
- Solutions proposed include universal access to basic services, digital health tools, increased investment, mental and physical healthcare integration, and public-private partnerships.
- A systematic overhaul of the healthcare system is needed, with increased investment and strategic planning.
“I was given an appointment for an endoscopy, but I have to wait months for it to be carried out.” Does this sound familiar? Over the last decade, primary and hospital care in Mexico has worsened according to the Voces de la Salud Mx survey, highlighting the stagnation of the sector. Only 0.10% of the health professionals surveyed believe it functions efficiently. Analyzing this situation, Rodrigo Saval, a public policy expert and founder of Bespoke Consultores, explains that “the health system is insufficient.” Mexico ranks lowest in terms of health coverage among all countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). “The average life expectancy has decreased by four years,” comments Saval. We have a fragmented system, exacerbated by poor policies and historical security schemes based on people’s employment and economic situation. The insufficient allocation of resources and the lack of preventive services have resulted in long waiting times for diagnosis and treatment, work overload for health professionals, shortage of medical supplies, and an increase in out-of-pocket expenses for the population. “Markets are meeting the demand for a public service that should be free,” states Rodrigo.
The health system is insufficient.
Rodrigo Saval
Since its inception in 2003, the Seguro Popular attempted to mitigate these weaknesses. However, its replacement by the failed INSABI and, more recently, by IMSS-Bienestar, shows a system plagued by debts, inefficient processes in drug procurement, and unfavorable working conditions for health professionals. This is contradictory when contrasted with the current rhetoric of favoring the most vulnerable sectors, when the gap in access to health care continues to grow.
We live in a country where there are more women than men.
Rodrigo Saval
We must also address gender disparity in health. “We live in a country where there are more women than men,” highlights Saval, reflecting the demographic reality revealed by the 2020 Population and Housing Census, which recorded more than 64 million women in Mexico. This figure gains relevance in a recent study by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute, shedding light on an often-overlooked aspect: improving women’s health could not only increase their life expectancy and quality of life, but also have a significant economic impact. By 2040, it could boost the global economy by approximately one trillion dollars annually.
Saval suggests, firstly, ensuring that the entire population, without exception, has access to basic services like water and electricity. He also believes that technologies such as digital health tools, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine should be leveraged, with the possibility of having an electronic prescription. Furthermore, establishing a universal electronic medical record that is interoperable to strengthen coordination among services and institutions is essential. “The right technology exists,” he explains. Additionally, a comprehensive approach to care that involves both mental and physical health is necessary. “The other pandemic is mental health”. Saval also proposes changes in medical education and health culture, focusing on primary care to reduce costs through prevention. Likewise, to achieve universal coverage, adequate resources must be available, with potential public-private partnerships. For example, subsidizing prescriptions at private pharmacies. Concurrently, greater investment in health research that responds to gender needs is also necessary.
The other pandemic is mental health.
Rodrigo Saval
Remodeling our health system will take decades and will require more public resources. Do we want a health system like Denmark’s? First, let’s invest like they do. Denmark allocates 9.5% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to health, according to the OECD. Undoubtedly, it’s not just about investment: crucial planning based on evidence and a thorough analysis of the health system are also essential. Can authorities simply ignore this? In this election year, it is vital that, as a society, we not only demand solid proposals to improve our health sector but also take decisive actions for the essential remodeling of the Mexican health system.
