Key Players Gather for Cancer Care Improvement
On Tuesday, June 24, the Mexican Chamber of Deputies hosted a Legislative Conversation for Integral Cancer Reform, bringing together crucial health sector actors such as doctors, academics, researchers, lawmakers, legal and economic experts, as well as patient associations. The event, convened by the Health Commission led by Deputy Pedro Zenteno, emphasized a collaborative tone focused on building a robust legislative initiative without attempting to reinvent the wheel.
Zenteno’s 10 Key Points for Cancer Care Reform
Deputy Zenteno presented 10 essential points that summarize the discussion and are intended to form the pillars of a new law aimed at strengthening cancer care in Mexico:
- Comprehensive Attention: Establish a regulatory framework for universal and free oncological care, from prevention to palliative care.
- Timely Treatment: Ensure treatment begins within 60 days of diagnosis.
- Public Fund: Create a federal fund to finance surgeries, chemotherapies, and radiation therapies with private hospitals.
- National Cancer Registry (NCR): Ensure full operation within 365 days, with complete coverage and public access.
- Standardized Protocols: Develop clinical guidelines based on evidence, integrating artificial intelligence.
- Oncological Training: Increase residency spots, incorporate oncology into medical curricula, and create multidisciplinary postgraduate programs.
- National Research and Production: Encourage biomedical research and local production of treatments.
- Medication Access: Accelerate the approval of innovative drugs and establish a fund for high-cost therapies.
- National System and Network: Implement the National Integral Cancer Care System (SNAIC) and a National Oncology Network.
- Transparent Resources: Ensure adequate funding and transparent management, with continuous evaluation.
Addressing Cancer Care Challenges in Mexico
The conversation highlighted the grim reality of cancer in Mexico, including the progressive reduction of public funding for cancer care in public institutions, affecting the acquisition of oncological medications, especially innovative treatments. Economic panelists proposed three measures: using economic evaluation criteria to define interventions, implementing temporary access permits for medications, and adjusting clinical practice guidelines according to budget constraints with a focus on cost-effectiveness per institution.
Another critical issue was the lack of knowledge about Mexico’s oncological infrastructure. There is an urgent need to map it for data-driven decision-making, especially given shortages like the scarcity of radiation therapy equipment and maintenance. Proposals included revitalizing the General Health Council, an underutilized constitutional body, to establish a National Cancer Council with multidisciplinary participation.
Civil Society’s Role in Cancer Care Reform
Civil society organizations played a significant role, delivering a document to Congress summarizing three years of work by over 200 specialists in public forums. The document includes financial, medical, and legal proposals, with patient, association, and state health commission voices. They also presented two studies: a comparative analysis of public policies in Latin America and one on cancer financing, focusing on patients without social security.
Ensuring Effective Implementation of Cancer Care Reform
The legislative event emphasized that any plan must be supported by investment and efficient operation. It’s crucial to discuss creating a specific fund for cancer care, covering surgeries, chemotherapies, and radiation therapies, as well as partnering with mid-tier private hospitals to expand care capacity and alleviate public service saturation. This approach acknowledges the necessity of public-private collaboration, similar to what was present in the now-defunct Seguro Popular.
Revitalizing the National Cancer Registry
The National Cancer Registry (NCR) needs consolidation and full operation, requiring adequate funding and mechanisms to ensure information flow with population and hospital coverage, including pediatric care. The NCR data should be publicly available within 365 days of the Decree’s entry into force, with continuous evaluation of the National Integral Cancer Care Strategy. It remains uncertain if these goals will be achieved and whether Zenteno has the Executive Power’s support for this initiative.
Tec de Monterrey Gathers Entrepreneurs for Health Solutions
On June 25 and 26, the Tecnológico de Monterrey will host The Next Decade: Health Horizons in the Tlalpan Innovation District, a forum bringing together leaders of Mexico’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The event will address health challenges such as aging, healthy longevity, and cell regeneration. It will feature 10 scientific startups and gather experts from UNAM, UAM, IPN, the Secretariat of Health, INGER, INCAN, IMSS, INSABI, and COFREPRIS. Since 2019, The Next Decade has sought transformative solutions to humanity’s primary challenges, including water resources and mobility, with this edition focusing on the present and future of medicine and well-being.
Uncertainty Surrounds Newsweek-Statista Hospital Ranking
Newsweek and Statista’s hospital ranking team may need to reassess their approach, as the recently published 2025 Mexican ranking appears flawed. The global hospital ranking, in collaboration with Newsweek and Statista—a business statistics and data portal—struggles to be taken seriously. They reported the top 59 hospitals in Mexico as part of a worldwide hospital ranking, with contradictory results such as Hospital Xoco outranking Hospital Ángeles Acoxpa. Several public hospitals ranked higher than private ones, which may have displeased corporate entities discussing quality investments. For instance, Hospital Angeles Pedregal ranks 40th, while Hospital Español ranks 11th. Curiously, Centro Médico ABC, which previously endorsed this ranking, does not appear in the list. Public hospitals under IMSS show strong rankings, but it’s unclear which specific hospitals are being referenced since each center operates multiple distinct facilities.
The Newsweek-Statista ranking, based on online surveys and publicly available patient satisfaction information, placed these 10 hospitals among the best:
- Médica Sur CdMx
- CMN Siglo XXI
- CMN La Raza
- Hospital Christus Muguerza (Monterrey)
- Hospital Ángeles Lomas CdMx
- CMN 20 de Noviembre (ISSSTE)
- Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González
- Hospital Universitario Dr. José Eleuterio González (Monterrey)
- Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, Juan I. Menchaca
- Hospital Real San José (Zapopan, Jalisco)
Red Crea Fertilidad Celebrates 25 Years
Red Crea Fertilidad, now 25 years old, has solidified its position as a pioneering group in Mexico’s assisted reproduction field, performing 1,000 IVF cycles annually across its two CDMX clinics. Amidst over 200 reproduction assistance clinics in Mexico, Red Crea Fertilidad distinguishes itself through national and international certifications. The organization’s founder, Dr. Carlos Maquita Nakano, a renowned obstetrician-gynecologist and human reproduction biologist, has significantly advanced reproductive medicine in Mexico and Latin America. He is a member of the Mexican Association of Reproductive Medicine (AMMR), the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
