Jalisco launches State Health Council to transform healthcare 2025-2030.

At a ceremony held in Guadalajara, the governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus Navarro, initiated the operation of the State Health Council, a consultative body tasked with the challenge of transforming the state's health system during the 2025-2030 period. This council, which includes key representatives from various health institutions, is established with the goal of strengthening medical services and ensuring effective and equitable access to health treatments for all residents of Jalisco. The governor emphasized the importance of this council, stating that its main objective will be to provide substance and operational capacity to the state's medical units. This includes the promise of continuous medical care 24 hours a day, as well as a supply of medications aiming for 92% coverage. "Our goal is to build a very strong state health system," Lemus Navarro stressed, demonstrating his commitment to improving health infrastructure. Lemus also focused on addressing diseases that represent a significant burden for the population of Jalisco, such as cancer, kidney conditions, heart diseases, and diabetes. He assured that a sectoral approach will be adopted to tackle these issues, highlighting the need to prioritize care for the most vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children with cancer and diabetes. The state leader urged that medical care related to cancer and juvenile diabetes remain free of charge. "We must focus directly on the Institute of Cancerology," he stated, assuring that Jalisco will continue to be a state where treatment for these critical conditions is accessible to all. In this regard, a significant boost to the operation of the Regional Institute of Cancerology is anticipated, as well as to the hospital-school model designed to improve the training of medical personnel. The state’s Secretary of Health, Héctor Raúl Pérez Gómez, complemented the governor's remarks by mentioning that Jalisco's health policy seeks to address ten central objectives. These encompass not only priority diseases but also aspects such as gynecological and obstetric care, mental health, and the training of human resources in the health sector. Additionally, a supply of inputs and medications exceeding 92% is projected, an ambitious goal aligned with the intention to elevate the quality of medical services in the state. This, combined with constant epidemiological surveillance, is essential to ensure timely and effective medical care. The State Health Council, chaired by the governor with the Secretary of Health serving as its executive secretary, is composed of nine permanent councilors representing various institutions. These include the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) and the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers (ISSSTE), as well as various local agencies. This new body also aims to implement principles of governance, transparency, and accountability, fundamental pillars for a health system aspiring to be a model in the country. Coordination among the different sector institutions will be key to ensuring that policies and strategies are implemented effectively. With the establishment of the State Health Council, Jalisco is moving towards a future where the health of the population is a priority. This effort to strengthen the health system is a response to the growing demands and challenges faced by society in terms of medical care, marking the beginning of a path towards a more robust and accessible health system for all. The expectation now is that these promises will translate into concrete actions and tangible results for the well-being of the residents of Jalisco.