MEXICO Law and Practice Contributed by: Bernardo Martínez-Negrete, Lisandro Herrera Aguilar and Martha Contreras Secchi, Galicia Abogados, SC
electronic health records (EHRs), allowing for more standardised care and efficient operations across multiple facilities. Ongoing modernisation efforts focus on expand- ing healthcare access and promoting the use of EHRs, which help providers share patient data more effectively and deliver more co-ordinated care. Key benefits include improved scheduling and resource use, reduced administrative costs, and enhanced data security. Despite progress with EHRs, the use of AI in eve- ryday clinical practice remains limited. A 2024 Funsalud study found only 9% of Mexican phy- sicians currently use AI tools, although interest is growing, especially among those open to train- ing and institutional support. A broader adoption in the following years is expected, particularly in diagnostic support, administrative automation and population health management. 1.3 Benefits of Digital Healthcare Digital healthcare is offering significant benefits to both patients and healthcare professionals, even as its implementation continues to evolve. For medical professionals, tools such as EHRs, telemedicine platforms and emerging AI tech- nologies are improving clinical decision-making and care co-ordination. These digital solutions streamline processes like appointment manage- ment, test result sharing, and the remote moni- toring of chronic conditions – particularly valu- able in rural or underserved areas. While the use of AI remains limited, there is growing interest in its potential to enhance diagnostics and reduce administrative burdens. From a cost perspective, digital healthcare is starting to reduce operational expenses. Effi- ciencies such as optimised use of medical facili-
ties, reduced dependence on paper-based sys- tems, and improved staff scheduling contribute to cost savings for both healthcare institutions and patients. However, realising the full econom- ic benefits will require continued investment in infrastructure, workforce training and supportive regulation. 2. Legal Framework 2.1 Definition of Digital Healthcare In Mexico, there is no official definition of “digi- tal health” or “digital healthcare”, but the con- cept is generally understood and defined by the National Center for Technological Excellence in Health(CENETEC), which operates under the Ministry of Health. According to CENETEC, digi- tal healthcare is a broad term referring to the provision of health services using information and communication technologies (ICTs) when physical interaction is not required. This defini- tion extends beyond medical services to encom- pass any health-related services. On the other hand, digital medicine refers spe- cifically to healthcare delivery where patients and healthcare professionals are in different locations, using ICTs to exchange information for diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases and injuries, as well as for continuous medical education. Despite these definitions and some non-man- datory guidelines from CENETEC, there are few references to digital healthcare, digital medi- cine, electronic prescriptions, or digital medical records in Mexico’s General Health Law or its associated regulations. This lack of a detailed, comprehensive regulatory framework means that there is no official list outlining what is spe- cifically covered under digital healthcare or digi-
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