Mexico Secures US$25 Million to Strengthen Pandemic Preparedness

Mexico will receive US$25 million from the Pandemic Fund’s third financing round to strengthen national and cross-border preparedness systems, according to the Ministry of Health. The allocation positions the country to advance early-warning, surveillance, and detection capabilities under the One Health framework, a model that integrates human, animal, and environmental health.

“Preparedness financing still falls short of what’s needed, but our country-led, collaborative, and catalytic approach is working, embedding preparedness within national systems and ensuring lasting ownership rather than short-term, crisis-driven responses,” says Priya Basu, Executive Head, Pandemic Fund.

The Pandemic Fund is a multilateral financing mechanism created to support efforts to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics at local, regional and global levels, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It offers long-term funding dedicated to areas such as disease surveillance, laboratory infrastructure, and workforce development, aiming to help countries detect emerging threats early and reduce the risk of widespread outbreaks.

“Investing in preparedness translates to economic resilience, as well as long-term protection of communities and health systems,” says WHO.

The funding will support Mexico’s plan to modernize epidemiological information systems, expand diagnostic capacity, and reinforce its laboratory network. The strategy includes dedicating resources to enhance rapid-response capabilities for new health threats and to provide multi-sectoral training in One Health. One Health is a coordinated approach that seeks to sustainably balance and improve the health of people, animals, and the environment. Authorities said the investment will prioritize border regions, where coordinated action is considered essential for preventing the spread of infectious threats.

 The Pandemic Fund selected Mexico’s proposal based on technical rigor, projected impact, and cost-effectiveness. The decision also reflects international recognition of the country’s institutional capacities and its role in global health security. The investment aims to strengthen Mexico’s early-warning and surveillance systems, according to Basu. She says that the Fund looks forward to supporting Mexico as it advances its preparedness agenda.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to preventive work through a reinforced epidemiological surveillance system that contributes to regional and national wellbeing, says David Kershenobich, Minister of Health.

Epidemiological surveillance and monitoring systems, including laboratory functions, are essential for the early detection of emerging diseases with pandemic potential and for enabling an appropriate response to national or international health emergencies.

Mexico’s Epidemiological Bulletin of the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE) is the official publication for reporting morbidity data and is one of the core functions of the General Directorate of Epidemiology. First issued in 1880, it has evolved alongside the country’s surveillance system. The weekly bulletin reports new cases of conditions under surveillance, disaggregated by sex, age group, and state, and serves as the official communication channel of the National Committee for Epidemiological Surveillance (CONAVE). Each edition covers information on 142 notifiable diseases across 68 pages.

“An effective disease surveillance system is essential to detect disease outbreaks quickly before they spread, cost lives and become difficult to control,” says WHO.