props to mexico!

Two weeks ago Mauricio Hernandez, deputy of the Ministry of Health in Mexico, gave a lecture on this very H1N1 topic as guest lecturer of the Institute of Global Health at USC. From what he shared in this lecture and in the hour long question and answer time held with PM564 I was very impressed with the honest response of Mexico regarding the H1N1 outbreak. Mauricio Hernandez conveyed Mexico’s quick response of its medical personnel of the increased number of flu cases. Procedures, which were already in place for reporting suspicious outbreaks, were activated and patient samples were sent off to the lab for analysis and places of gathering were closed for quarantine. Mauricio Hernandez, displayed transparency to the WHO regarding the outbreaks in Mexico, confirming the disease only 10 days after the initial reported outbreak. It must be noted this was done with lightening speed and great integrity compared to China and the Avian Flu pandemic that occurred a few years back. I believe these events testify to the effective pandemic response plans of the Mexico health system in response to infectious disease. Mauricio Hernandez did comment on a lack of vaccines, which are not direct a result of being unprepared but rather due to world politics; this is a tragedy, in my opinion.

As all health care systems, Mexico has lots of room for improvement. During the question-and-answer time Mauricio commented on how the Ministry of Health lacks authority with decentralized state jurisdiction. The health care system needs improvement and stronger regulations controlling the expenditures of the budgeted health care money. He mentioned States often misuse the budgeted health care money for other state expenses. Despite these needed improvements, overall, I was impressed with Mexico’s quick response, their transparency and the implementation of their action plan.