From the August 2012 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine

Many growth opportunities have appeared within the national market for those companies offering solutions to chronic diseases that are increasingly affecting Mexican population; in some cases reaching epidemic rates. One of the fields that have attracted more resources from the government in the past few years and will continue to do so is the fight against obesity and diabetes. Merino points out how Fresenius is helping to fight those problems, not only through their dialysis solutions, but public coverage for this range of diseases. “Today, there is a very severe problem with obesity and diabetes and, in the medium term, this will have an impact on kidney diseases,” he explains. He says that those in the lower financial classes not covered by the IMSS or the ISSSTE are facing a major problem. They do not currently get free access to hemodialysis through Seguro Popular, with the government citing lack of funding to support that type of coverage.

“The government has a lot of work still to do; we have huge obesity rates, including child obesity, and the government must act against this, since around 70 percent of obese people will require hemodialysis,” Merino says. “There is an important challenge which is government spending. There is a definite need for more investment from the government; hemodialysis is a very expensive process and many patients cannot afford it, so the government should pay for it. We are working to have a universal health service for hemodialysis.”


Welch Allyn’s González seconds the need to focus on chronic disease as a crucial portion of health care in Mexico. “The ability to manage a patient’s disease is crucial, and if one does not have or invest in the proper technology to do so, it is very hard to be successful,” he says. “The physician needs to have the necessary tools to manage these diseases. One of the most important aspects is reliable vital signs data, clinical information available in the patient’s health record, and proper information for the patient’s care. This is a key element in our business proposition. We truly believe that by employing technology in the vital signs field, and sharing or transmitting that information onto a clinic health record the health care industry will be able to properly manage these chronic diseases that are ailing our country.”

Omron’s Kato stresses the importance of education and awareness-raising campaigns for fighting chronic diseases related to cardiologic and arterial affections. “In contrast with other markets, in Mexico there is an alarming lack of consciousness on the importance of keeping a constant track of cardiologic variables. It is very important for Omron to work in enhancing awareness on that sense. Omron Mexico launched, in cooperation with Mexico’s City authorities, ‘Corafest,’ a campaign offering free blood pressure measuring and informing Mexicans on the importance of monitoring their blood pressure and cardiologic variables.”

August 2012 Magazine

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