IMSS Grows Residency Program; Challenges Persist

IMSS has doubled the available slots for candidates in the National Examination for Medical Residency Applicants (ENARM), going from 4,537 in 2018 to 9,813 by 2025, solidifying its position as the largest medical training and employment institution in Mexico.

During the Closing and Opening Ceremony for Medical Specialized Courses 2024-2026, Zóe Robledo, IMSS Director, highlighted the institution’s historic growth in specialist medical training. Robledo said that in the past seven years, the number of residents has increased from 15,000 to 26,964. 

In addition, IMSS has significantly expanded its training sites, expanding from 200 to 389 in just five years, with an offering of 1,303 courses, representing a 74% increase. Currently, 93% of residents are placed in Primary and Secondary Level care units, while 7% receive training in Tertiary Level medical units.

During the ceremony, Robledo said the endovascular neurological therapy specialty was introduced in 2024 and that the implementation of neuroanesthesia will be available for the 2025-2026 cycle. Additionally, an increase in job opportunities for graduates was mentioned, with 8,869 positions available in the upcoming recruitment process, representing an 86% rise compared to 2019. 

Robledo also reaffirmed IMSS’ commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents, noting that Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, has requested a review of scholarship amounts to enhance the conditions for medical trainees.

Eduardo Clark García, the government´s Deputy Minister for Integration and Development, said that over 17,000 doctors will graduate from the public sector this year, while nearly 19,000 will be admitted to medical residencies in 2025. He also underscored the crucial role of specialists in transforming the country’s healthcare system. Rafael Olivos Hernández, Secretary General, SNTSS stated that medical residency at IMSS is considered a critical phase for professional development, where doctors acquire technical knowledge and strengthen their commitment to medical services. IMSS Medical Benefits Director Alva Santos Carrillo stressed that medical training at the institution has experienced exponential growth, tripling the number of entries into specialization programs and reaffirming IMSS’ leadership in specialist medical education.

Contrasting these positive results, challenges are still highlighted at the institution. “Supply shortages at hospitals have worsened since the transition to the IMSS-Bienestar model, leading to a crisis that disrupts medical operations,” explains Fabian Infante, Spokesperson, National Assembly of Health Workers, in an interview with Debate, reported MBN. “Many hospitals are not addressing cases because supplies are insufficient, and medications arrive in limited quantities and run out quickly.”

Since January 2025, IMSS beneficiaries have expressed their concerns about medication shortages at ISSEMyM, highlighting their frustration over the unavailability of essential supplies. The government’s Administrative Office said that medication distribution would commence on Feb. 16, prioritizing high-demand units. However, the state government has not provided specific details or explanations regarding the distribution process. It stated that negotiations are underway with the pharmaceutical industry to secure an immediate supply through tenders, reported MBN.