Mexico Launches National Strategy to Standardize Medical Care

Mexico’s Ministry of Health introduced the National Strategy for the Integration of National Medical Care Protocols (PRONAM), a government effort to create a unified health system built on consistent clinical practices across institutions. The initiative aims to reduce disparities in medical attention that stem from employment status or place of residence, placing new emphasis on standardized training and certification for healthcare workers.

During the presentation at the National Medical Center Siglo XXI, David Kershenobich, Mexico’s Minister of Health, said the protocols consolidate technical and clinical work that will support equal access to care. He urged attendees to promote PRONAM and noted that future hiring across the health system is expected to require certification in these protocols as part of a national standard. The government’s broader objective, he said, is to strengthen a workforce capable of delivering uniform services throughout the country.

The strategy, launched through the General Health Council and supported by IMSS, IMSS-Bienestar, ISSSTE, PEMEX, SEDENA, SEMAR, begins with 10 approved protocols. These cover Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, obesity and overweight, hypertension, the first 1,000 days of life, vaccination across the lifespan, early cancer diagnosis in children and adolescents, retinoblastoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Patricia Clark, Secretary, General Health Council, says the protocols form part of a structural policy focused on strengthening primary care and placing people at the center of health planning. She notes that four protocols, those for diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and hypertension, target 80% of Mexico’s disease burden.

Recent data shows alarming trends in the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases among Mexican adults. From 2018 to 2022, the percentage of adults with hypertension surged from 34.1% to 47.8%. This condition significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, as reported by Mexico’s Ministry of Health.

Similarly, the prevalence of diabetes has seen a notable increase. In 2018, 14.4% of Mexican adults were diagnosed with diabetes. By 2022, this figure had risen to 18.3%. “In Mexico, diabetes is considered a health crisis, and its prevalence is increasing especially after COVID-19,” says Karla Alcazar, President and General Manager, Eli Lilly Latin America, to MBN.

Ramiro López, Deputy Minister of Health Policies, calls PRONAM a turning point for system universalization, as it outlines step-by-step processes for diagnosis, treatment, referral, and emergency response. Zoé Robledo, Director General, IMSS, says the strategy supports equal treatment for all people through shared rights, protocols, and medication access.

From the operational perspective, Alejandro Svarch, Director General, IMSS-Bienestar, says the program will rely on rural and community units that manage diverse epidemiological and social conditions. He notes that unifying clinical criteria does not eliminate the country’s cultural differences. The protocols will allow chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia to be treated jointly to prevent complications and reduce mortality, says Martí Batres, Director General, ISSSTE. 

The initiative seeks to ensure consistent and accessible care across the country, including in remote and underserved areas. Developed by healthcare specialists, the protocols consolidate essential medical information to support front-line professionals in managing the most prevalent conditions in Mexico. By embedding PRONAM into workforce development and future hiring requirements, authorities aim not only to strengthen clinical decision-making but also to standardize practice across institutions. Together, these measures signal a shift toward a more integrated national health system.

“The PRONAM are an act of humanism and responsibility with the health of Mexicans,” says Batres.