Background on Martí Batres Guadarrama and the ISSSTE
Martí Batres Guadarrama serves as the General Director of the Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado (ISSSTE), a Mexican government agency responsible for providing healthcare and social security services to federal public sector employees.
The ISSSTE has recently been under scrutiny following a tragic case of medical negligence at the Hospital General de Tlalnepantla, resulting in the death of an infant. The Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (CNDH) issued a comprehensive recommendation, expediente CNDH/1/2024/319/Q, detailing the institution’s responsibilities and outlining necessary measures to prevent similar incidents. However, the ISSSTE, under Batres Guadarrama’s leadership, has refused to accept this recommendation.
The Importance of the Right to Health
The right to health is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the Mexican Constitution and international treaties. It ensures not only access to medical services but also guarantees quality, timely, and safe care. When these conditions are not met, the State has a responsibility to investigate, sanction, and repair any harm caused.
In this case, the medical negligence was so severe that it led to the death of a child. The CNDH’s recommendation aims to repair the damage and prevent future negligence, but the ISSSTE’s refusal denies parents access to justice and reparation mechanisms.
Consequences of the ISSSTE’s Refusal
- Denial of Justice: The parents are unable to seek justice and reparation through the Comisión Ejecutiva de Atención a Víctimas (CEAV) due to the ISSSTE’s refusal.
- Erosion of Trust: The ISSSTE’s stance perpetuates suffering for affected families and erodes public trust in government institutions.
- Systemic Issue: This case is not isolated; the ISSSTE has received 23 recommendations from the CNDH this year, reflecting broader challenges in Mexico’s healthcare system.
Call for Action and Institutional Responsibility
The author, a medical specialist and legislator, emphasizes the need for collective action to defend the right to health and support victims of medical negligence.
Accepting the CNDH recommendation is not just an act of justice for victims but also a sign of institutional willingness to correct and improve. The ISSSTE’s refusal, however, perpetuates impunity and disregard for human rights.
The right to health encompasses access, quality, and safety in medical care. When these principles are violated, the State must act to investigate, sanction, and repair any harm caused. Justice should not depend on the discretion of authorities but on their legal and ethical obligation to protect citizens.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the issue? The ISSSTE, led by Martí Batres Guadarrama, has refused to accept a CNDH recommendation following a fatal case of medical negligence.
- Why is this important? The refusal denies parents justice and reparation, erodes public trust in the ISSSTE, and reflects broader challenges in Mexico’s healthcare system.
- What should be done? Society and labor unions must collectively advocate for institutions to acknowledge their responsibilities, rectify errors, and repair harm caused by negligence.
