Mexico’s Health System Faces Challenges, Digital Opportunities

Mexico’s health system faces significant challenges, but new opportunities in digital integration, clinical research, and innovation could strengthen its ability to serve a growing population, according to Patrick Devlyn, President of the Health Commission, CCE. 

“If we connect healthcare, we connect Mexico, and a healthier Mexico will undoubtedly be a stronger, more productive country, one that enables higher levels of well-being for its population,” says Devlyn. 

Fragmentation remains one of the main challenges affecting the healthcare system, with separate structures such as IMSS, ISSSTE, INSABI, SEDENA, and SEMAR operating independently. This lack of coordination, combined with unequal access between urban and rural areas, limited interoperability across institutions, and a persistent digital divide, has hindered efficiency and patient care. 

Despite the gaps, Mexico’s demographic and technological context offers potential. With a population of nearly 130 million people, including a relatively young segment rapidly adopting digital tools, the country is positioned to leverage health innovation, says Devlyn. Private sector startups, multinational companies and academic institutions are contributing to an expanding healthcare ecosystem.

Recent government initiatives, including steps toward regulating telehealth and electronic health records, signal growing interest in digital health. Lessons from the pandemic underscored the value of integrated systems, with countries that connected health information platforms and worked closely with private partners achieving stronger responses and saving more lives, says Devlyn. 

A digitally connected health system could allow patient information to move securely across facilities, reducing duplicate tests, speeding up diagnoses, lowering costs, enabling early prevention, and supporting better planning of public health policies. Telemedicine and hybrid care models could expand access to isolated communities, while data analytics and AI could improve prevention and early diagnosis while guiding evidence-based public policy.

However, interoperability standards are necessary to ensure hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, insurers and other actors can securely share information, says Devlyn. 

Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential, as neither has the resources to tackle the challenge alone, says Devlyn. But by combining regulatory authorities, telecom providers, pharmaceutical firms, private hospitals, startups, academia and civil society, Mexico could build a health system that is more resilient and equitable.

“Mexico has an opportunity to make a significant leap forward by leveraging existing private-sector technologies and connecting them with the public sector to benefit patients,” says Devlyn.

His call to action emphasizes investment in innovation, modern regulation, adoption of digital tools by healthcare professionals, and stronger partnerships. Connecting the country’s health system could ultimately strengthen Mexico’s economy, productivity, and social well-being.