Key Initiatives to Strengthen Healthcare in Mexico
In a morning conference with President Claudia Sheinbaum, the ISSSTE’s General Director, Martí Batres Guadarrama, unveiled the 2026 Work Plan, which includes 241 construction, expansion, and renovation projects across the country. The primary goal is to bring family medicine and specialty services closer to beneficiaries, increase consultations and surgeries, reduce waiting times, improve material conditions for care, and expand infrastructure.
New and Expanded Medical Units
- Construction and expansion of 14 Family Medicine Units (UMF) and four Family Medicine Clinics (CMF) in Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Campeche, Yucatán, Morelos, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Baja California, and the State of Mexico.
- Completion of seven projects, including the inauguration of the General Hospital in Tampico, Tamaulipas; recovery of the “Vasco de Quiroga” Clinic Hospital in Morelia and the “Uruapan” Clinic Hospital in Michoacán; remodeling of the Geriatric Specialties Clinic in Acapulco; and full rehabilitation of the Clinic Hospital in Chilpancingo, Guerrero.
Addressing Healthcare Disparities
Batres Guadarrama emphasized the focus on both first-level care and regions with significant healthcare shortages. The plan includes:
- Building 200 consultation rooms in states with the greatest medical needs.
- Constructing and expanding 14 Family Medicine Units (UMF) in nine states: Jiquilpan and Paracho, Michoacán; Arcelia and Chilapa, Guerrero; Guelatao, Tapanatepec, and Huautla, Oaxaca; Hecelchakán, Campeche; Tixkokob, Yucatán; Xoxocotla, Morelos; San Buenaventura, Coahuila; Díaz Ordaz, Tamaulipas; and Rosarito and Tecate, Baja California.
- Creating or expanding four Family Medicine Clinics: Naucalpan, Estado de México; Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila; Tlapa, Guerrero; and Jojutla, Morelos.
- Adapting 10 Extended Health Services Centers (CESSAs) to improve access in underserved areas, equipped with operating rooms and hospital beds.
Second-Level Healthcare Projects
Seven second-level projects will be completed in 2026, including:
- Recovery of the “Vasco de Quiroga” Clinic Hospital in Morelia, which ceased operations with the opening of the Regional Hospital.
- Expansion of the “Uruapan” Clinic Hospital in Michoacán.
- Remodeling of the Geriatric Specialties Clinic in Acapulco.
- Full rehabilitation of the Clinic Hospital in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, recently damaged by an earthquake.
- Expansion of the Tehuantepec Clinic Hospital in Oaxaca.
- Conversion of the Medicine Family Clinic in Pachuca to a Clinic Hospital.
- Completion and inauguration of the General Hospital in Tampico, Tamaulipas.
Part of the Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice
As part of the Michoacán Plan for Peace and Justice, the ISSSTE will:
- Begin construction of a Clinic Hospital in Cherán, Michoacán.
- Fully rehabilitate the “Lázaro Cárdenas” Clinic Hospital in Michoacán.
- Construct a new hospital unit, “Dr. Gonzalo Castañeda Escobar,” in Tlatelolco, Mexico City.
- Convert the Clinic Hospital “Cancún” to a General Hospital in Quintana Roo.
Continuing Construction Projects
The ISSSTE will also continue:
- Construction of the Regional High Specialty Hospital in Oaxaca.
- Conversion of the Chetumal Clinic Hospital to a new General Hospital in Quintana Roo.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the ISSSTE’s 2026 Work Plan about? The plan includes 241 construction, expansion, and renovation projects across Mexico to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and services.
- Which medical units will be constructed or expanded? Fourteen Family Medicine Units (UMF), four Family Medicine Clinics (CMF), 200 consultation rooms, and ten Extended Health Services Centers (CESSAs) will be built or expanded.
- What second-level healthcare projects will be completed in 2026? Seven projects, including hospital expansions and rehabilitations in various states, will be finished.
- What is the focus of these initiatives? The projects aim to bring healthcare closer to beneficiaries, increase consultations and surgeries, reduce waiting times, improve care conditions, and expand infrastructure in underserved regions.
