A reporter told President Claudia Sheinbaum about the Mexican Social Security Institute’s (IMSS) inability to treat a relative who suffered a cardiac collapse. After a difficult journey through several hospitals, the patient ended up at the National Institute of Cardiology, where the reporter also witnessed shortages and deteriorating conditions.
He also suggested that poor medical care could be linked to corruption, noting that an urgent medical test was scheduled for a year and a half later.
During the morning press conference on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the reporter expressed his astonishment at the inefficiency of Mexico’s healthcare system after personally accompanying his uncle during a medical emergency.
He also pointed out the limitations and shortages under which healthcare personnel work.
“Madam President, this cannot happen!” he said.
“Over the weekend, my half-brother on my father’s side suffered a cardiac collapse.
I asked the IMSS Communications Office for assistance. Later, they put me in contact with IMSS Bienestar.
During the transfers from one hospital to another and then another, we eventually ended up at the National Institute of Cardiology.
There, I saw it with my own eyes—no one told me. The facilities are not in good condition, and the doctors’ gowns are worn out.
Most seriously, the test that is urgently needed—a Holter monitor—was said by two cardiologists to take a year and a half to schedule because there are no resources.
Madam President, this cannot happen!”
He suggests deficiencies in medical care are part of corruption
The complaint drew attention on social media because it came from a journalist considered supportive of the government, who even implied that the shortcomings in healthcare could be related to corruption.
“I’m not saying this to cause trouble, but simply because every Tuesday during the Health Briefing, we’re told that hospitals have resources, that the corruption from previous administrations has been eliminated, and that hospitals are being improved.”
However, what the reporter experienced raised doubts about whether corruption has truly been eliminated, since a healthcare system that schedules an urgent test a year and a half later clearly has serious problems.
Poor emergency care can mean the difference between life and death
Although the reporter acknowledged that the Xoco IMSS Hospital was in excellent condition—clean, organized, and staffed by hardworking personnel—he criticized the delay in emergency treatment.
“In the emergency room, we waited three hours before they treated a cardiac emergency. A cardiac emergency has to be handled immediately—not tomorrow or even in five minutes,” he said, emphasizing that delays or lack of care can mean the difference between life and death.
What did Claudia Sheinbaum respond?
The president said the case would be reviewed and that the Health Cabinet would provide further information, explaining that there have been some administrative issues within the National Health Institutes.
“We will determine whether this is truly a matter of lack of resources—which, according to the information we review every Monday, it is not—or whether it is related to the administration of the National Health Institutes,” Sheinbaum replied.
The reality experienced by the reporter’s family—and by many Mexicans every day—in IMSS hospitals and the National Institute of Cardiology contrasts with former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s promise to build a healthcare system “like Denmark’s.” Today, the reality remains far from that goal.
Source: yucatan
