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Tehuacán,Puebla – A patient at the IMSS (Mexican Institute of Social Security) clinic in Tehuacán,Puebla,has publicly accused the facility of inadequate care,including a lack of essential medical supplies and alleged mistreatment by staff. The complaint, filed August 7th, centers around the care of a patient recovering from a procedure at a private institution.
José Martínez Carrera, the patient’s family member, detailed the situation in a statement to Urban Puebla, alleging that his relative has not received necessary surgical intervention due to a shortage of operating room availability and critical medications.He specifically cited a lack of basic supplies like diapers, gauze, and colostomy bags, forcing the family to purchase them independently at a personal cost.
Martínez Carrera further claims that when he submitted invoices for reimbursement of the purchased supplies, his request was denied. He also accused nursing staff of exhibiting rude behavior and reprimanding the family for procuring supplies without prior authorization from the clinic. The IMSS clinic in Tehuacán serves a population of over 60,000 beneficiaries in the southeastern region of Puebla, according to 2023 IMSS data.
in a response issued by IMSS Puebla, the institution stated that the patient is receiving specialized medical care appropriate to his condition, which stems from complications following a procedure performed at a private healthcare facility. IMSS officials confirmed that following the August 7th complaint, immediate attention was given to the case and staff were reminded that patients and their families should not be asked to provide their own medical supplies.
The IMSS maintains that the Tehuacán clinic is adequately stocked with necessary medical supplies for patient care. The institution has directed individuals with concerns or disagreements to utilize the module of Attention and Orientation to the beneficiary, ensuring issues are addressed through official channels. The IMSS Puebla regional director, Dr. María Elena López, has been assigned to oversee the investigation into the allegations.
Context: Challenges Facing Mexico’s public Healthcare System The IMSS is Mexico’s largest public healthcare provider, serving over 77 million beneficiaries.In recent years, the system has faced increasing strain due to budgetary constraints, an aging population, and the growing prevalence of chronic diseases. Reports of supply shortages and inadequate infrastructure are not uncommon, especially in regional clinics like the one in Tehuacán.
