Claudia Sheinbaum Charts a New Direction for Mexico’s Healthcare

Claudia Sheinbaum has officially been inaugurated as Mexico’s first female president, succeeding former president López Obrador. In her inaugural speech, Sheinbaum outlined 100 commitments aimed at addressing a range of national issues, with a strong focus on healthcare reform. Her plans include several ambitious initiatives targeting public health, elderly care, and the expansion of preventive healthcare programs. 

One of the central health-related initiatives Sheinbaum announced is a new "door-to-door" healthcare program for senior citizens. Set to launch in October 2024, this program will involve public servants visiting the homes of elderly residents across Mexico. They will conduct health assessments through questionnaires designed to evaluate individual health conditions. To support this effort, Sheinbaum committed to hiring over 20,000 healthcare professionals, including nurses and doctors, by January 2025, to ensure medical care is delivered to seniors in their homes.

In addition to elderly care, Sheinbaum proposed turning public schools into hubs for health prevention, with a focus on mental health, addiction prevention, and dental care. One standout initiative, “Visualize Your Dreams,” will provide free vision exams and glasses to children in need, aiming to address visual impairments early in life.

Sheinbaum also emphasized universal access to essential healthcare services for all Mexicans. Her administration plans to ensure that from birth, every citizen has access to vaccines, preventive care, surgeries, lab tests, and medications, all at no cost. Building on the existing IMSS-Bienestar program, Sheinbaum aims to consolidate it as Mexico's leading healthcare system. The program is expected to provide broad medical coverage, solidifying the country's healthcare infrastructure. 

As part of her broader healthcare strategy, Sheinbaum revealed plans to strengthen the supply and distribution of medications through the creation of the "Pharmacies for Wellbeing" program, which will launch in mid-2025. These pharmacies, located near the Wellbeing Banks, will provide free basic medications, especially for elderly citizens. The program will also include the introduction of laboratory sampling services at most health centers, improving diagnosis and treatment capabilities across the country.

Another key proposal focused on maternal and infant care through a program designed for the first 1,000 days of life. This initiative will support pregnant women with prenatal visits, provide vitamins and supplements for newborns, and promote breastfeeding. Initially launching in the State of Mexico, the program will expand nationwide, contributing to healthier early childhood development.

Sheinbaum also addressed plans to modernize health infrastructure. Beginning in 2025, the government will roll out a comprehensive surgery program targeting cataract and knee surgeries, which will be offered on a mass scale throughout the country. This initiative aims to address the growing demand for these critical surgeries, particularly among older populations.

To tackle the growing public health challenges of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, Sheinbaum introduced a national education campaign. This campaign, to be implemented in schools, workplaces, and public spaces, will focus on reducing the consumption of unhealthy foods and promoting better lifestyle choices.

Finally, Sheinbaum reaffirmed her commitment to women’s health, with a focus on ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health services throughout a woman's life. This effort, part of a larger movement to protect and enhance women's rights in Mexico, seeks to expand healthcare coverage and support for women across all stages of life.

As she begins her term, which will last until 2030, her party enjoys a supermajority in Congress, facilitating the approval of reforms. Experts are now questioning the extent to which she will continue López Obrador’s policies, as reported by MBN.

Sheinbaum received the presidential sash from Ifigenia Martínez, a prominent leftist figure and current President of the Chamber of Deputies Directive Board. The official ceremony was attended by 105 international representatives, including presidents, vice presidents, and diplomats. In her inaugural speech, Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico’s transformation would continue and highlighted that now is the time for women, noting that all 65 presidents since the independence have been male.