Collaborative Prevention Programs in the Spotlight

COVID-19 highlighted the lack of preventive health in Mexico, leading health providers to take actions to counteract this trend. As a result, different organizations are undertaking collaborative efforts to bring preventive health programs to different population groups.

Here is the week in health!  

Organon Introduces Strategy to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Pharmaceutical company Organon, the National Population Council (CONAPO), the Mexican Youth Institute (IMJUVE) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) will launch a pilot project to prevent teen pregnancies in Mexico City’s municipality Xochimilco. Mexico has the highest teenage pregnancy rate of all OECD countries, with a fertility rate of 77 births per 1,000 teenagers between 15 and 19 years of age.

IMSS to Diagnose Cerebrovascular Accidents in Less than an Hour

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) introduced the Código Cerebro (Brain Code) strategy to provide a diagnosis in less than an hour for cerebrovascular accident (CVA) patients. The program will be implemented first in the National Medical Center Siglo XXI and later expanded to all of IMSS’s medical units. A pilot program launched in 2019 showed that this strategy reduces attention times, mortality and side effects. 

Traxion Acquires Medistik for US$78 million

National logistics operator Grupo Traxion acquired healthcare distributor Medistik for US$78 million. With this move, trucking, mobility and logistics operator Traxion incorporates the pharmaceutical vertical into its four-party logistics (4PL) and last-mile logistics services.

Mexican Senate Bans E-cigarettes Imports, Exports

Mexico’s Senate sent to the Chamber of Deputies the approved update to the Law of General Taxes of Importation and Exportation, prohibiting the import and export of e-cigarettes. The prohibition includes all products that heat tobacco, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (NNDS) and alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS). The change to the law also prohibited the import of tobacco cartridges and reconstituted tobacco products used in ANDS.

SEDESA Introduces Health Campaign for Public Markets

To support economic development and healthcare, the Ministry of Economy Development (SEDECO) and the Ministry of Health of Mexico City (SEDESA) are carrying out "Health Days for Public Markets" to increase awareness of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. This project aims to bring health services closer to the population through promotion, prevention and educational activities.

COVID-19 Variants Continue to Arise

Health authorities warn about a new COVID-19 variant: Omicron XE. Omicron XE is a recombinant form of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 first identified in the UK and with 637 cases confirmed in the country according to the latest statistics. India recently reported its first Omicron XE case. Cases have also occurred in China and Thailand.

Parkinson’s Disease Awareness, Treatments

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month with World Parkinson’s Day observed on April 11. In Mexico, there are about 230,000 diagnosed patients and over 40,000 seeking medical attention, diagnosis and treatment. Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, leading researchers to rush to develop treatments for those suffering from it.

Expert of the Week

Do not miss the expert contribution from Guillermo Pepe, Creator and CEO, Mamotest, on the use of data in the health sector.