Throughout its history the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) has faced all kinds of events and in the end it remains standing. Since wars, natural disasters and pandemics, nothing has been able to bring down what today represents the basis of public health. In fact, it is estimated that just over half of the country’s population is affiliated. With this, there is no other organism with a similar capacity.
According to historical records, January 19, 1943 is considered the day of its foundation. Although it was actually up to September 13, 1950 when the emblematic central building of the IMSS was inaugurated. Therefore, today it celebrates 71 years of being the space from which decisions that impact all health professionals are made.
Located in Paseo de la Reforma No. 476, in the Juárez neighborhood of Mexico City, this property was built by the architect Carlos Obregón Santacilia, great-grandson of Benito Juárez.
Initial characteristics
The building was conceived in a combination of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, the result of a strong European influence that permeated the country in the 1950s, and which became a symbol of progress, development and culture.
At the beginning, the headquarters housed a post office, a bank, a dining room, a nursery and it was even one of the first buildings to have a parking lot in the basement.
In 1995, the decision was made to reinforce its structure by installing 425 shock absorbers or dissipative piles, for which it has withstood strong earthquakes such as the one that occurred in September 2017 and, more recently, that of September 7 of this year.
In addition, it has emergency doors and the replacement of metal ironwork on the glass facades with aluminum shutters, which is why it was one of the first buildings in Mexico City to meet these Civil Protection provisions.
Recent transformation
While derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, the IMSS and the National Union of Social Security Workers carried out joint actions such as the installation of sanitary filters at the entrances; periodic sanitation in the different work areas, installation of informative signage, as well as a program of staggered and remote activities to reduce the flow of personnel.
In the central building there are various works that make up the artistic heritage of Social Security; at the main entrance the mural “México”, by Jorge González Camarena, and also by this author the reliefs “El Trabajo” and “Grano de Maíz” (also called “Maternidad”), which are found in the main access on the avenue reform.
In the lobby of the “Juan Moisés Calleja” Theater there is the mural “Maternidad”, by Federico García Cantú, and in the offices of the General Directorate, various works such as sketches by García Cantú, drawings by Francisco Zúñiga and the portrait “Carranza” , oil painting by Antonio Albanés.
Inside the room of the H. Technical Council are the murals “El Día” and “La Noche”, by Mario Orozco Rivera, and on the outside oil paintings by Emiliano Zapata and Benito Juárez, also made by Antonio Albané and a bust of the Benemérito de las Américas by Tosia Malamud.
More recently, two sculptures have been placed in the corners of the building: one by the artist Leonardo Nierman called “Eternal Flight” to celebrate 50 years of social benefits (2006) and the “Angel of Social Security” by Jorge Marín, held to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Institute in 2013.