- The Institute stands out throughout the region because it offers 32 different medical specialties.
- It currently has 271 residents who are preparing to become residents.
- Among its future projects, it plans to start up new facilities for HIV research, a high-tech autopsy room and a medical-surgical tower.
Sometimes the hospital infrastructure of our country is criticized but it is also necessary to recognize what is done well. In particular there is a Institute of Medical Specialties that stands out for its capabilities. To date it is listed as the largest in Latin America for all the health areas it has, but do you know what it is?
The answer is simple and it is National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) “Ismael Cosío Villegas”. It is also one of the most traditional because it has 87 years of history. To date, it has more than 180 beds for medical care and during the COVID-19 contingency it underwent extensive conversion to meet demand with the support and noble vocation of its staff.
The Institute with the most Medical Specialties in Mexico and Latin America
Regarding its characteristics provides services in 32 specialties. While it treats more than 8,500 emergency cases per year, almost 4,000 admissions, 62,400 consultations, more than 16,000 surgical procedures and 27,000 pulmonary rehabilitation sessions.
This effort is the result of the daily work of 3,500 people who work at the institute. It also has 274 doctors who study some specialty, although all of them are committed to quality and excellence in service.
Most common illnesses treated
The main causes of care at INER are asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and to a lesser extent, tuberculosis.
In this regard, the head of the Ministry of Health (SSa), Jorge Alcocer Varela, said that, given the challenge represented by the transformation of the National Health System, it is essential to improve access to services. The infrastructure in the medical units must also be increased and renewed and the quality of life improved, especially in rural regions.
To achieve this objective, it is necessary for medical personnel to team up with patients to encourage them to make better decisions.
He stressed that quality in medical care is not done only with money, but with the work and commitment of committed men and women that provide feasible and viable proposals for continuous improvement. These actions make it possible for INER to be recognized for its excellence in respiratory care.
Secretary Alcocer Varela highlighted that INER is a national benchmark in research, teaching, and care for infectious and chronic-degenerative diseases, highly specialized endoscopic and surgical procedures, and respiratory rehabilitation.
The general director of the INER, Jorge Salas Hernandezassured that medical care is the essence, motive and raison d’être of specialists from this institute, who offer the best diagnostic and therapeutic options, which is demonstrated by the health service provided to cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza and COVID-19.
He highlighted that researchers contribute with their talent, thought, knowledge and findings to address respiratory health problems, and in recent decades teaching and professional training have achieved the highest quality standards.
New projects for the future
He also announced that they will launch new facilities for HIV research, a high-tech autopsy room and a medical-surgical tower that responds to current needs.
The head of INER’s Education Directorate, Juan Carlos Vázquez García, explained that, since its foundation, the institute has graduated more than thousand specialists in Pulmonology, Pediatric Pulmonology, Thoracic Surgery, Allergy, Immunology, Infectious Diseases and Otorhinolaryngology, and 20 highly specialized specialists.
Likewise, in recent months the UNAM University Council approved the new specialty in Pneumology and Critical Medicine.
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