Mérida Healthcare Access Expands with 6 New Medical Centers

City council has approved a significant expansion of medical access for residents, voting to establish six new Comprehensive Preventive Medicine Centers (CMPI) across vulnerable neighborhoods. The Mérida healthcare initiative represents the latest effort by municipal governments across Mexico to fill gaps in healthcare coverage, even though providing medical services isn’t technically required by law.

Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada called the decision “a success for the benefit of Mérida residents,” emphasizing the city’s commitment to expanding healthcare opportunities for families in vulnerable situations.

“The most important thing is the certainty that our city government is always searching for ways to generate or expand opportunities for healthcare access for families in vulnerable conditions,” Patrón Laviada said during Thursday’s special council session.

The centers will operate 12 hours daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, including holidays. They’ll offer medical, nutritional, and dental consultations in five neighborhoods: San José Tzal, Melitón Salazar, La Reja, Azcorra, and Manuel Crescencia Rejón. The Azcorra and Manuel Crescencia Rejón locations will include low-cost laboratories.

This expansion comes as Mexico’s healthcare system faces significant challenges. Despite constitutional guarantees of healthcare as a right, access and quality vary widely across the country, with many rural or underserved areas receiving only basic care due to cost or limited availability. These disparities help explain why Mexico ranks 50th out of 110 countries in healthcare quality rankings.

The Mérida healthcare initiative reflects a broader trend of municipal governments stepping up to address healthcare gaps. At Mexico’s first National Public Health Policy Meeting of 2025, officials highlighted municipal efforts to expand healthcare access, including programs that bring clinical testing directly to patients and rehabilitation of more than 300 hospitals and clinics.

Patrón Laviada noted that constitutional law doesn’t mandate municipal governments provide healthcare, but said local authorities recognize the growing need. “We have seen that in recent years, the population lacking healthcare access has grown, and addressing this need from municipal governments guarantees access to this human right,” she explained.

The council also approved partnerships with Congregación Mariana Trinitaria civil association and Atención Integral Com to operate the centers. Additionally, they renewed collaboration agreements with the Mexican Red Cross, a longtime ally that provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations.

Mérida already operates an extensive healthcare network including 24 modules throughout the city and four Alma Nova mental health facilities in each cardinal direction. The city recently added a mobile mental health unit that visits schools, neighborhoods, and rural communities.

The new centers add to Mérida’s growing reputation as southeastern Mexico’s healthcare capital, home to major private hospitals that attract medical tourists from across North America seeking high-quality care at significantly lower costs than U.S. facilities.

Mexico’s healthcare challenges mirror those of many developing nations. Rural accessibility remains a heavily studied concern, with issues related to specialized services particularly prevalent in isolated communities where location, transportation, and economic costs create major barriers.

The country began extending healthcare coverage to rural communities in 1979, but progress has been uneven. Today, an estimated 38% of Mexicans with insurance lose access annually due to frequent job changes, while others rely on over-the-counter medications rather than formal medical care.

Mérida’s proactive approach demonstrates how local governments can bridge healthcare gaps while federal authorities work toward broader reforms. “We will always seek to prioritize what matters most to everyone – your health and your families’ health,” Patrón Laviada said.

The new medical centers represent a significant investment in community health, potentially serving thousands of residents who previously faced barriers accessing affordable medical care in Mexico’s rapidly growing southeastern hub.