The recent report of the Independent Commission of Investigation on the Covid-19 Pandemic in Mexico has revealed the failures of the country’s government in managing the health crisis. The report, titled “Learn so as not to repeat,” highlights the permanent underestimation of the severity of the virus, centralization and personalization of decisions, and erroneous austerity policies as key factors contributing to the mishandling of the pandemic.
According to the report, the health emergency resulted in more than 800 thousand deaths in Mexico, with almost four out of every ten deaths attributed to government mismanagement. The study also points out that the Mexican population suffers from comorbidities such as obesity and diabetes, and the health system lacks systemic investment.
In contrast, health policies implemented in the past by experts like Guillermo Soberon and Jesus Kumate successfully eradicated diseases like poliomyelitis, diphtheria, and tetanus. However, recent reports indicate a decline in vaccination rates, with only 83% of children and 66% of older adults receiving vaccines in 2023.
The report also sheds light on the impact of the pandemic on children, estimating that around 215 thousand children have been orphaned as a result. Moving forward, the next government program in Mexico must prioritize the reconstruction of preventive public health policies to address the shortcomings revealed by the pandemic.
In the words of Jesus Kumate, “Health is not everything, but without health there is nothing.” It is clear that significant improvements are needed in Mexico’s health system to prevent such a crisis from happening again in the future.