The “La Raza” National Medical Center received its name due to the simple ceremony that took place for its inauguration. Which contrasted with the official start that had taken place on “Columbus Day”: October 12, 1952.
“La Raza” National Medical Center: How was one of the most important hospitals in Mexico formed?
The structure of the Hospital had three blocks: the hospitalization, oriented to the southeast, which would obtain the maximum solar radiation in winter. And the minor in summer that allowed the hospital a great saving of electrical energy during the winter without detriment to the comfort of the internees.
The various floors were connected, in addition to the battery of the elevators, by a system of hoists. Which, from the basement, allowed the circulation of all the healing material from the Central Equipment. Sample of biological products for laboratories and supplies necessary for the proper functioning of clinical services.
His model was copied nationwide
Naturally, this model was copied nationwide, first at the IMSS in Monterrey. then in Guadalajara, Puebla, Orizaba, etc., and later by the other systems of attention of medical services of the other institutions. All together they fought to recover the concept of a general hospital, and brought back internal medicine that had almost died out.
The influence of this organization spread throughout Latin America and especially in Central America. Where in El Salvador and Costa Rica the central hospitals of the social security institutions responded to the “La Raza” Hospital model. In Costa Rica the Medical Center was called “Hospital de México”.
MEDICAL MILESTONES
The hospital is characterized by conducting medical research and pioneering various medical milestones in Mexico and Latin America.
Among which are:
- In 1955, Nuclear Medicine was used for the first time in Mexico for the treatment of cancer and medical research began at the IMSS.
- At the forefront of medical care processes in highly complex conditions. Specialized personnel of the UMAE manage 11 transplant programs in children and adults. Among those that stand out: heart, kidney, liver, cornea and bone marrow.
- Due to its results and productivity, it is an international center of reference in heart transplantation in adults and children.
- In 1961 he performed the first open stained glass valvuloplasty in the country (stained glass carotid valve repair). In 1967 he created the first Department of Catheterization and by 1968 he put into operation the first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Institute.
- Around 1988, Dr. Ruben Argüero, Director of the hospital. He performed the first heart transplant in Mexico.
- In 1989, the first multi-organ procurement was carried out, as well as the first heart transplants. As well as bone marrow in children in Mexico.
- In 2004, the separation of conjoined conjoined twins by thorax and abdomen was successfully performed for the first time. Intervention that lasted 13 hours and in which a medical team of 45 specialists participated.
- In 2008, the Pediatric Neurosurgery Service participated in the first intrauterine surgery. This, to place a valve in the skull of a baby before birth, diagnosed with hydrocephalus and thus avoid a malformation.
- In November 2018, the Corneal Tissue Bank began its operations, the first of its kind in the country. For the processing, storage and conservation of this tissue for transplantation purposes, among other medical advances.
This year, the General Hospital of the La Raza National Medical Center turned 67 years old and it is a key piece in the strategy of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS). This, to face the greatest challenge in the history of modern medicine: the COVID-19 pandemic.
But of course, without neglecting the highly specialized care for the benefit of the beneficiaries of Mexico City, the State of Mexico, Hidalgo, Yucatán and Quintana Roo.
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