APBP Delivers 100,000 Medical Aids to People with Disabilities

Mexico’s public health authorities reinforced the role of social assistance in health system integration during the annual report of the Public Beneficence Assets Administration (APBP), where David Kershenobich, Minister of Health, highlighted the institution’s contribution to communities with the highest levels of marginalization.

Speaking at the event, Kershenobich described the Public Beneficence as a strategic actor in advancing toward a single national health system, citing its direct impact beyond hospital care. He said the delivery of functional aids such as implants, lenses, prostheses, and wheelchairs reflects inclusion, efficiency, and social commitment, particularly for populations with limited access to care.

Kershenobich added that the scope of these actions demonstrates that progress is possible through coordinated public efforts. His remarks placed social assistance programs within the broader discussion on health system consolidation and equity.

Representatives across the country conducted more than 1,500 outreach initiatives, primarily in municipalities classified with high and very high marginalization, says José Cordero, Director General, APBP. According to APBP figures, these activities focused on people with hearing, visual and motor disabilities. In 2025 alone, the institution delivered close to 100,000 functional aids, including surgical and medical equipment, aimed at restoring essential capabilities such as hearing and vision and facilitating reintegration into work, school, and community life.

The supports distributed this year included nearly 35,000 hearing aids, 15,000 prescription eyeglasses, over 1,500 intraocular lenses for cataract surgeries, over 11,000 wheelchairs, and about 20,000 mobility devices, including walkers, crutches, and canes. For the first time, APBP formalized a partnership with the National Rehabilitation Institute Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra to ensure quality standards across all delivered supports.

These efforts address a local challenge, as by 2023, Mexico had an estimated 8.8 million people aged five and older living with a disability, of whom 46.5% were men and 53.5% were women. Zacatecas holds the highest share of this population, with 11.2% of residents aged five and older living with a disability. Among people with disabilities aged 15 and older, labor force participation was higher for men, at 51.5%, compared with 31.3% for women.

According to the  World Health Organization (WHO), people with disabilities represent the largest minority group in the world, but continue to face significant barriers not only to fully participate in society, but especially in the labor market, reports MBN.

During the event, authorities also reported the deployment of 102 ambulances for basic and advanced emergency care in Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Queretaro, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Oaxaca. Additional investments included the delivery of magnetic resonance imaging units, tomography equipment, liquid chromatographs, angiography systems, and radiology units.

These assets are intended to strengthen the operational capacity of national health institutes and IMSS-Bienestar hospitals, enabling more timely and safe diagnostic and treatment services. Officials said the equipment supports broader efforts to improve service coverage and quality within the public health network.

The investment comes as the health sector continues to play a significant role in the national economy. Mexico’s health sector accounted for 5.2% of the national economy in 2024, according to preliminary figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography’s (INEGI) Satellite Account of the Health Sector of Mexico (CSSSM).

Inclusion is a guiding principle of Public Beneficence policy, says Cordero. He adds that the scale of the program shows that interinstitutional coordination and support can translate into direct and timely assistance for communities facing the greatest levels of marginalization, as well as for those in vulnerable situations.