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EF: Could you discuss the role of the Secretaría de Salud – or Health Secretary in Jalisco?
FPA: The history of Jalisco’s Secretaría de Salud began 78 years ago. The Federal Health Secretary and IMSS, as the primary health distributor in Mexico, were established only five years before. However, as these systems catered specifically to government workers and employees of various factories and enterprises, the Secretaría de Salud Jalisco emerged to extend medical attention to those not covered by the existing healthcare proposals.
In 1997, the federal government mandated the creation of OPDs (Public Trust Funds) in each state. These OPDs provided legal and financial autonomy to states in managing their healthcare systems. Unlike other states, Jalisco established two OPDs to cover more unattended needs.
By 2018, the OPDs had been separated from the Ministry of Health’s jurisdiction. This separation aimed to streamline decision-making processes and ensure focused attention on patient care. However, challenges persisted in healthcare financing. Initiatives like Seguro Popular, introduced in 2003 to provide universal healthcare access, were discontinued in 2020. Consequently, healthcare investments declined, hindering progress.
Nonetheless, Jalisco made substantial efforts to improve its public healthcare system. To enhance the quality of our regional healthcare facilities, we took the initiative to certify up to 90% of our healthcare centers across the state. Moreover, our decentralization efforts aimed to bring healthcare services closer to communities. We divided the state into 13 sectors, and each one now boasts at least two public hospitals, totaling 43 hospitals across Jalisco, if we include the two Civil Hospitals (which play a pivotal role in local healthcare provision) and its soon to be opened third facility. This strategic restructuring prioritized patient care while enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Notably, the Ministry of Health assumed responsibility for guiding healthcare policies, ensuring a unified approach across all sectors. One noteworthy policy focused on combating obesity, addressing a prevalent health issue in Mexico. This administrative overhaul aligned healthcare efforts with citizen needs, placing patient well-being at the forefront of healthcare decisions.
EF: What specific criteria and standards must hospitals or health centers meet to reach certification as quality institutions?
FPA: A federal certification process covers three main areas: infrastructure, equipment, and personnel. Infrastructure ensures hospitals and health centers nationwide have suitable facilities for patient care, including clean bathrooms and functional spaces, while equipment ensures each facility has the necessary tools and resources tailored to its needs, such as refrigeration for vaccines and medications.
Personnel recruitment poses challenges, especially in remote areas like the northern mountain regions. For example, due to cultural and logistical barriers, indigenous areas like Huejuquilla struggle to attract doctors and nurses. To address this shortage, initiatives are underway to incentivize healthcare workers to serve in these communities, including educational and training pathways through university partnerships.
EF: How is the Secretaría de Salud collaborating with other stakeholders in the sector to improve healthcare through public-private partnerships?
FPA: Health is a universal right, not a privilege confined by sector or status. Collaboration between public and private stakeholders ensures equal access to healthcare, guided by legislation. Our efforts focus on governance, funding, and healthcare provision, all rooted in this principle.
Our secretary is actively engaged with Canifarma and with both public and private hospitals. We collaborate closely and have participated in various conferences together. One initiative, a job fair called “Talentland”, was launched four years ago, and our involvement has grown significantly over the past time. We now have a full section in this event named “Healthland”, where we offer young people a broader perspective on health beyond traditional roles like doctors and nurses. We highlight the importance of innovation and technology in healthcare by informing visitors on topics like artificial intelligence or telemedicine and exploring emerging areas in the healthcare sector.
We have also signed a collaboration with EtCurae, a important Mexican clinical research company with a strong focus on metabolic diseases, and the FPRI, a prominent organization involved in international research programs. This alliance has been very instrumental in multiple investigations, accurately representing our genetics, blood studies, and cultural heritage. We are proud that here in Jalisco, we are amplifying Mexican research contributions, ensuring their global impact and recognition.
An important topic for us is addressing type one diabetes, a chronic disease prevalent in children that requires lifelong insulin treatment. Furthermore, we have implemented impactful public policies, such as prioritizing the first 1,000 days of life, including care during pregnancy and childbirth, promoting breastfeeding, and providing special protection during a child's initial years. Another crucial policy ensures comprehensive cancer treatment for children under 18. These policies are now legally protected and underscore our commitment to healthcare as a fundamental human right.
EF: How do you see Jalisco driving innovation and research to become a regional powerhouse?
FPA: Jalisco is taking significant strides in the healthcare sector, boasting approximately ten universities specializing in different facets of the health system. We are eager to collaborate with these institutions, including key partners like the University of Guadalajara and the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. Our initiative encourages individuals to consider career paths beyond traditional medicine, such as engineering and biotechnology, to make meaningful contributions to the healthcare system.
It is crucial for the upcoming government to sustain investments in healthcare research and publication in Jalisco. Hospital Civil de Guadalajara, closely linked with the University of Guadalajara, offers training in 68 specialties, providing a robust platform for educating new healthcare professionals.
EF: What final message would you like to convey to the healthcare industry?
FPA: Health is a collective effort, and despite the advances, much work is still ahead. Each person has a role to play, no matter how small. It is not about one person leading the way but working together as a community. Everyone is welcome to join and contribute to the ongoing progress of the healthcare system in Jalisco.
