There are complicated moments due to the current Covid-19 pandemic and although its impact has been global in some countries it has been felt more strongly. Until now Mexico has been one of the most affected and that is why it remains in fourth place in the world with respect to the number of fatalities. Although according to the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval) the problem is much more complex.
According to the executive director of the institution, Janet Zamudio, much of the responsibility lies with the Mexican health system itself. There are many failures that have persisted for years and now the consequences can be seen.
What needs to be corrected?
In this regard, he indicated that the main fault is the fragmentation that exists. As a consequence, there is a lack of order, planning and coordination that occurs from the first level of care. This affects both patients and healthcare workers themselves.
In that sense, one of the campaign promises of Andrés Manuel López Obrador was the unification of public health. At the time he mentioned that he would seek the unification of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Institute of Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) and the Ministry of Health (SSa). Although with the passage of time the idea has been forgotten for all that it implies.
For its part, a few days ago Coneval also presented a report showing that there are more and more Mexicans without social security. In 2018 there were 22.3 million people receiving medical services in public institutions. While for 2020 the figure was 13.8 million. This shows that in just a couple of years there was a decrease of 38 percent.
The failure of Insabi
As responsible for this situation, the Institute of Health for Well-being (Insabi) has been pointed out. Although it was born to replace Seguro Popular, it has been criticized that it has not succeeded. The reality is that the population without social security continues to fall ill and requires medical attention. The difference is that now they prefer offices attached to pharmacies.
To be clearer the portal Political Animal published a report stating that in 2018 pharmacy clinics served 13.3 million Mexicans. Although for 2020 they were 17.4 million, which means an increase of 30 percent. In addition, the trend continues to increase during 2021.
For its part, Coneval also criticizes the lack of investment that prevails in the field of health in the country. The units are in poor condition and in recent months there has been a constant shortage of medicine.
Along these lines, Sergio Bautista Arredondo, director of Health Economics and Health Systems Innovation, considers it necessary to invest appropriately to guarantee access to this basic service. In addition, medical personnel must be placed at the center of the strategy and have efficient mechanisms for bidding, purchasing and distributing drugs and other medical supplies.