Mexico to Launch Six National Medical Protocols in March 2025

Mexico's health sector is set to roll out six National Medical Protocols in March 2025, which aim to standardize care and improve patient outcomes across the country. The protocols, announced by David Kershenobich, Mexico’s Minister of Health, are designed to enhance the quality and safety of medical services for individuals affected by prevalent health conditions.

The six protocols will focus on diabetes and metabolic syndrome, systemic arterial hypertension, chronic kidney disease, obesity and overweight, vaccination, and care during the first 1,000 days of life, as reported by the Mexican Ministry of Health. 

The protocols address some of the most significant burdens in Mexico’s healthcare system. Chronic diseases have become the one of leading causes of death among Mexicans, mirroring a global trend where these conditions are responsible for 41 million deaths each year, according to the National Institute of Public Health (INSP).

Kershenobich highlights the importance of these protocols in preventing complications associated with these diseases, highlighting that conditions like diabetes do not need to result in severe complications such as blindness or diabetic foot. 

“Diabetes is a preventable disease in many cases; however, paradoxically, it is one of the leading causes of mortality in Mexico,” says Kershenobich.

The protocols will provide standardized guidance for healthcare providers across the nation, ensuring consistent and effective treatment. Each protocol is concise, summarizing key information on a double-sided page, and will include a QR code for access to more detailed versions online. These protocols will help ensure that healthcare professionals from any region of the country can provide patients with a comprehensive treatment plan that aims to minimize complications.

Kershenobich adds that the treatments prescribed in the protocols are aligned with the medications procured through public purchasing programs. This alignment ensures the proper supply of medications needed to manage the various stages of each condition, facilitating better outcomes for patients. The protocols, which were developed with input from health experts under the guidance of the General Health Council (CSG), will be formally published in March 2025.