Key Preparations for Medical Care and Tourism
Betsabé Rocha Nieto, the Secretary of Economy for Nuevo León, has announced that by March 2026, the state will have a fully operational network of hospitals, medical specialists, and medical tourism services to cater to visitors attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Health and Medical Tourism Cluster will also integrate a medical care platform along with accompanying travel experiences.
The Role of the Health and Medical Tourism Cluster
During a recent presentation, Rocha Nieto highlighted that all projects will be ready by March 2026. She mentioned, “We have a significant opportunity for the state starting in June of next year, not only from a sports perspective—where it’s known that for every dollar invested in this sector, there is a potential economic impact of up to four dollars—but also considering the entire tourism offering of the state.”
Rodrigo García González, the director of the Health and Medical Tourism Cluster, explained that medical professionals attending to visitors’ health needs have been trained in telemedicine. In case of medical emergencies, doctors will assess the situation and redirect patients to appropriate clinics or hospitals, both private and public.
A Comprehensive Medical Platform
García González further elaborated that a platform is being developed to ensure optimal patient care. As of now, between 200 and 300 general practitioners have joined this platform, capable of providing primary care and guiding patients to the necessary facilities. This service will be entirely free during the World Cup, from June 14 to 29.
Nuevo León’s Appeal for Medical Tourism
The United States and Canada are the primary sources of patients seeking medical care in Nuevo León. However, the state has also treated individuals from distant locations such as South Africa for facial surgeries.
Canada, in particular, presents a substantial opportunity due to a backlog of over one million orthopedic surgeries following the pandemic. Nuevo León’s medical services are estimated to be four to five times cheaper than in the United States, with significantly shorter wait times. Combined with high-quality medical care and a favorable exchange rate for foreigners, this has fueled the growth of medical tourism in the region.
Nuevo León is believed to capture 15% to 18% of the nation’s medical tourism economic impact, equivalent to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Popular treatments include facial surgeries, orthopedics, and dental services.
Cluster’s Initiatives to Boost Medical Tourism
The Health and Medical Tourism Cluster aims to position Nuevo León as an international medical tourism destination. They plan to manage certifications like the Joint Commission International (JCI) collectively, which would lower costs for clinics and hospitals interested in accreditation.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main focus of Nuevo León’s preparations? The primary focus is to establish a robust medical infrastructure, including hospitals, specialists, and medical tourism services, to cater to visitors during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Who is Betsabé Rocha Nieto, and what role does she play? Betsabé Rocha Nieto is the Secretary of Economy for Nuevo León. She has announced that all necessary preparations will be completed by March 2026.
- What is the Health and Medical Tourism Cluster? The Health and Medical Tourism Cluster is an organization that aims to integrate medical care platforms and accompanying travel experiences for visitors.
- Why is Nuevo León an attractive destination for medical tourism? Nuevo León offers significantly cheaper medical services, shorter wait times, high-quality care, and a favorable exchange rate for foreigners.
- What initiatives is the Cluster undertaking to promote medical tourism? The Cluster aims to manage certifications like the Joint Commission International (JCI) collectively and lower costs for accreditation-seeking clinics and hospitals.
