ISSSTE Nationalizes Three Hospitals in Mexico

The Mexican Institute of Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) fully assumed control of three hospitals previously operated under public-private partnership (PPP) agreements. The hospitals now operate entirely as public institutions, marking a significant step in the nationalization of the country’s healthcare sector.

The transition, which involved formal agreements with private companies that had previously managed the hospitals, was finalized in late December 2024 and early January 2025, as reported by ISSSTE. The hospitals now provide services to over half a million people across the three regions. On Dec. 27, 2024, the Hospital General “Dr. Daniel Gurría Urgell” in Tabasco officially transitioned to ISSSTE’s control. It was followed by the Hospital General “Dr. Aquiles Calles Ramírez, La Cantera” in Nayarit and the Clínica Hospital Mérida in Yucatan on Jan. 1, 2025.

Martí Batres, Director General, ISSSTE, says that nationalization is a step toward reducing costs for the institute. The transition represents a substantial cost-saving measure, particularly for the Clínica Hospital Mérida, which was transferred to ISSSTE ownership on Aug. 14, 2024, after a formal agreement to conclude its PPP contract with the private company managing it.

The Clínica Hospital Mérida, located in Susula, Yucatan, is equipped with 66 beds and offers services in specialties such as surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, gynecology, cardiology, dermatology, oncology, and geriatrics. The facility also includes 18 consultation rooms, four operating theaters, and several diagnostic and treatment services.

In Villahermosa, the Hospital General “Dr. Daniel Gurría Urgell” has 90 beds and offers 41 consultation rooms and five operating theaters. The facility provides medical care in specialties including dermatology, gastroenterology, pediatrics, psychiatry, cardiology, and urology, among others. ISSSTE signed an agreement with Promotora y Desarrolladora Mexicana (PRODEMEX) on Sept. 6, 2024, to take over the hospital’s management.

The third hospital, the Hospital General “Dr. Aquiles Calles Ramírez, La Cantera” in Tepic, Nayarit, has 209 beds and offers a wide range of medical specialties, including cardiology, surgery, dermatology, and gastroenterology. The hospital is equipped with 35 consultation rooms, seven operating theaters, and diagnostic and treatment services. ISSSTE finalized the agreement to end its PPP contract with Invex Grupo Infraestructura on Sept. 29, 2024.