In the framework of the LXI local legislature, an initiative to reform the State Health Law and the Penal Code in the State of Querétaro was presented with the purpose of regulating the practice of health sector professionals and combating usurpation of functions. The reform includes stricter sanctions for those who fail to comply with these regulations, with the primary objective of strengthening the safety and quality of medical services in the entity.
The proposed modification affects Article 235 of the Penal Code for the State of Querétaro, as well as Articles 81 Bis, 82, and 82 Bis of the State Health Law of Querétaro. Among the most relevant reforms is the increase in prison sentences and the imposition of fines on those who perform surgeries or surgical procedures without the necessary authorization, with penalties ranging from 6 to 12 years in prison and fines from 450 to 600 days.
Deputy Verónica Galicia, president of the Health Commission, explained that these measures aim to promote shared responsibility among the government, citizens, and the private sector to ensure professional, ethical, and high-quality medical services in the state of Querétaro. Additionally, the implementation of awareness campaigns by the state health department is contemplated, as well as the active participation of private institutions in this process.
Dr. Genaro Vega Malagón, head of the Medical Arbitration Commission of the State of Querétaro, emphasized that the initiative not only seeks to regulate the activity of health professionals but also to sensitize the population to demand quality services. Vega Malagón mentioned that cases have been detected of people who, without being doctors or having the corresponding specialty, practice as specialists, which puts the safety and lives of patients at risk.
Furthermore, the responsibility that hospitals have in ensuring that those who are part of their teams have the necessary accreditation and authorization to practice is highlighted. The Medical Arbitration Commission of the State of Querétaro has recorded an increase in complaints in specialties such as dentistry, traumatology, and surgery, as well as cases of usurpation of functions that are detected on average 4 to 5 times a year.
In this sense, the initiative includes prison sentences of 2 to 6 years and fines from 250 to 400 days for those who claim to be professionals without the corresponding qualifications or without the proper authorization to practice. This measure aims to protect the population from fraudulent medical practices and ensure the quality and safety of health services in the state of Querétaro.
