Is there a way forward for the Mexican healthcare system? A human rights perspective

Abstract

Morbidity and mortality profiles offer us a synthesis of the dynamics of population health. Workplace conditions, education, nutrition, housing, income, access to potable water, adequate sanitary services, clean environments, and healthcare are all considered as social determinants of health. As such, they provide the necessary elements to guarantee the right to health and health protection. Mexico's adoption of neoliberal policies – in place now for three decades – has weakened the possibilities of leading a full life by converting health into a commodity and dismantling the public healthcare system. In its place, a market for medical services has been established and sick people are now blamed for having adopted unhealthy lifestyles. Surely, this is a very miserly realization of the right to health. The Mexican healthcare system provides neither universal coverage nor universal access to healthcare. The quality of services – when available – is quite variable. What is needed is a single, unified, publicly financed healthcare system; international experience has shown that this is the most efficient way to obtain universal coverage that provides comprehensive, quality care and equity. Achieving this in Mexico requires fundamental reform of both the healthcare and social security systems.