Mexico’s Health Sector Faces Access Gaps, Investment Push

This week, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) initiated a large-scale specialist recruitment campaign and the implementation of a national Health ID Card system. Also, INEGI data indicates a decline in healthcare access. Furthermore, COFEPRIS introduced a strategy aimed at strengthening clinical research and combating counterfeit medicines. This aligns with the medical device industry’s plan to mobilize up to US$400 million in investment by 2030.

This is The Week in Health! 

Mexico Expands Health Hiring Amid System Strain

The IMSS is recruiting 9,805 specialists to address structural workforce shortages and regional care gaps. The move responds to below-OECD health indicators, infrastructure constraints, and budget pressures affecting healthcare providers, medical professionals, and state health systems as Mexico seeks to strengthen public sector capacity and long-term workforce sustainability.

Mexico to Deploy National Health ID Card System

Mexico’s Ministry of Welfare will deploy a nationwide Health ID Card system aimed at guaranteeing access to public health services and strengthening patient identification, as part of a broader effort to consolidate a Universal Health System.

Access to Healthcare Services Falls 18.6 Points: INEGI

Access to health services in Mexico declined between 2016 and 2024, according to INEGI’s Social Rights Information System. The share of the population without deprivation in health access fell from 84.4% to 65.8%, a drop of 18.6 percentage points. The data highlights pressure on the constitutional right to health and reveals persistent regional disparities. Nuevo Leon and Baja California Sur reported coverage above 80%, while Chiapas and Puebla lagged behind. 

Mexico’s COFEPRIS Rolls Out Anti-Counterfeit Plan

Mexico is advancing a coordinated strategy to position itself as a regional leader in clinical research and medical innovation, as federal regulators, academic institutions, and pharmaceutical executives align efforts to accelerate the path from laboratory discovery to patient access.

Mexico’s Medical Device Industry to Invest US$400 Million: AMID

Mexico’s medical device industry plans up to US$400 million in investments through 2030 under Plan México, aiming to expand manufacturing, research, and workforce capabilities ahead of the USMCA review. The strategy positions healthcare manufacturing as a strategic growth pillar amid trade uncertainty, regulatory shifts, and supply chain pressures affecting North American integration.