During the Hippocratic Oath ceremony for 1,529 medical students who will begin their social service in various parts of Mexico, the rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Leonardo Lomelí Vanegas, called for strengthening the healthcare system and increasing its funding to ensure equitable care. Lomelí pointed out that while the OECD average has 3.7 doctors, 9.2 nurses, and 4.3 beds per thousand inhabitants, Mexico has only 2.5 doctors, 2.9 nurses, and one bed per thousand inhabitants.
"Remember that behind every diagnosis is a person with diverse contexts and stories," added the rector, highlighting that the students will address various needs of the country in around 20 locations, from rural communities to specialized urban centers, thus promoting equity in access to health services.
The director of the Faculty of Medicine, Ana Carolina Sepúlveda Vildósola, detailed that 303 participants will work in rural areas as the first line of medical attention in vulnerable areas. Additionally, she highlighted that Mexico allocates only 5.5% of its GDP to health, in contrast to the 9.2% average of OECD countries.
On the other hand, 27 students will focus on research projects to transform clinical practice and health policies. Mitzi Malinalli Garduño de la Cuesta, an intern doctor, emphasized that social service is crucial as a bridge between academic training and national reality, inviting young people to participate in building a healthier and more equitable Mexico.
The ceremony was attended by academic and health authorities who congratulated the interns, urging them to face challenges with commitment and ethics. In addition, 215 students in urban areas will reinforce primary care in densely populated cities such as Mexico City, San Luis Potosí, and Sonora. The linking program will involve 547 interns in the national health system, with 437 doctors participating in innovative initiatives promoted by UNAM.
