Public-Private Associations Key for Growth, Access to Care

Q: How is Hospital Sedna broadening its coverage to provide health services to a greater proportion of the general population?

A: Hospital Sedna has 36 beds, but we want to incorporate 22 more. We would like to offer our high-quality services to more people. We would also want to allocate then mostly to the subrogated services of the Seguro Popular. Hospital Sedna is an integral hospital that has various specialties and subspecialties, many of them focused on chronic degenerative diseases, which are now the most common in Mexico. Our short-term plan is to emphasize kidney health. We are also getting certification to perform transplants. There is no other private hospital that has an approach to this problem.

Q: What role do public-private alliances play in increasing access to care and how do these alliances benefit private hospitals?

A: Public-private alliances allow the healthcare sector to increase its reach, with the patient as the main beneficiary, since it can ensure better care and at a much faster pace. Seguro Popular started with 5 million people. Now, it has over 50 million and the need for health services will only continue growing. Our population’s demand for health care is growing fast, if the sector does not grow in turn, many will be left without care. Globally, Mexico has been one of the countries taking appropriate measures to improve healthcare, but there are areas still to be addressed. Working with Seguro Popular can be beneficial because it allows people who would otherwise not have access to healthcare to get the quality treatment they need. I would recommend other hospitals to be open to it.

Q: Why did Hospital Sedna transition from being a hospital specialized in gynecology to incorporating more specialties?

A: Hospital Sedna began operations fully focused on gynecology but transitioned to integral health services over its first two years. Changing the hospital’s core from gynecology to integral health services was a challenge.

Q: How is Hospital Sedna increasing its market share and attracting more patients and what is the profile of the hospital’s patients?

A: At Hospital Sedna we are fully committed to our patients’ well-being, which is our main priority. We are also investing in the well-being of our doctors. It is highly important that doctors feel that they are being fully supported by the hospital, since they are the main contact with patients. Between 70 and 80 percent of the patients at private hospitals pay through private insurance. 52 percent of our patients have insurance, 12 to 15 percent come from Seguro Popular and the rest pay out of their own pocket.

Q: Many hospitals are investing in the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. How does this certification fit into Hospital Sedna’s long-term plans?

A: On Dec. 6, 2017, we received the certification for three years from the Mexican General Health Council. This certification is based on JCI’s principles, so we are on the way to obtain this latter certification for which we will apply in 2019. Having this accreditation will allow us to increase our capacities for medical tourism. Hospital Sedna already has capabilities for medical tourism, mainly in bariatric surgery. Due to the high rates of obesity, we have turned to see Bariatrics as one of the main areas of focus, but we plan to continue offering integral services. Mexico has significant room for growth in medical tourism. Since 2013, this sector has grown around 7 percent annually.

Q: How do you see the future market for healthcare services in Mexico?

A: 20 percent of the population will be over 60 years old by 2050, so the demand for healthcare services will only increase as the country’s population ages. The private health sector will continue growing in turn but not at the necessary rate to address the needs of this population. There is significant room for growth for private health services.