Appointment by Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Head of Mexico City Government
Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the Head of Mexico City Government, confirmed the appointment of Víctor Hugo Borja Aburto as the new federal commissioner for the Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRIS), replacing Armida Zúñiga. The change took effect on January 1, 2026.
Background and Relevance of COFEPRIS
COFEPRIS is a crucial regulatory body responsible for approving new medications, foods, and other health-related matters. Under the previous administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, there were significant revisions to the authorization processes, which had previously been outsourced.
During Alejandro Svarch’s tenure at COFEPRIS, the organization saw improvements in combating corruption and strengthening its operations. As a result, approval times for various requests, such as health registrations and clinical research protocols, have been reduced.
Víctor Hugo Borja Aburto’s Background and Experience
Víctor Hugo Borja Aburto, a native of Guayameo, Guerrero, is a medical surgeon from the UAM-Xochimilco. He holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Epidemiology from the National Institute of Public Health, as well as a doctorate in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Borja Aburto has held prominent positions in health institutions and research organizations. He served as a professor and director of Epidemiology and Biometrics at the National Institute of Public Health, conducted research at CINVESTAV-IPN, and founded the National Environmental Health Center in the Secretariat of Health. He also led the Risk Analysis area in the same department.
Since 2001, Borja Aburto has worked with the Institute of Social Security (IMSS), where he directed areas such as Epidemiological Surveillance, Public Health, Primary Care, and Occupational Health. He later became the Coordinator of Medical Services for the now-defunct Institute of Well-being (INSABI).
As the Epidemiological Surveillance Coordinator at IMSS, Borja Aburto played a key role in responding to the influenza pandemic, designing and implementing an epidemiological information system that facilitated timely decision-making.
In his role as the Public Health Unit head, he promoted the expansion of preventive programs like PREVENIMSS and contributed to the creation of the Primary Health Care Unit, enhancing first-level care during the universalization of health services.
Borja Aburto is a member of the Mexican Academy of Medicine and the National Health Council. He has published 96 scientific articles in national and international journals, 10 book chapters, and edited 2 books.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Víctor Hugo Borja Aburto? Víctor Hugo Borja Aburto is a Mexican medical surgeon with extensive experience in public health, epidemiology, and healthcare management. He holds advanced degrees from prestigious institutions in Mexico and abroad.
- What is COFEPRIS? COFEPRIS (Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios) is Mexico’s regulatory body responsible for overseeing health-related matters, including medication and food approvals.
- Why is Borja Aburto’s appointment significant? Borja Aburto’s appointment aims to strengthen COFEPRIS by leveraging his experience in combating corruption, improving operational efficiency, and reducing approval times for health-related requests.
- What are Borja Aburto’s notable achievements? Throughout his career, Borja Aburto has contributed to epidemiological surveillance, public health program expansion, and occupational health initiatives. He has also published numerous scientific articles and books.
