MEXICO Trends and Developments Contributed by: Bernardo Martínez-Negrete, Lisandro Herrera Aguilar and Martha Contreras Secchi, Galicia Abogados, SC
Enhanced quality of care Digital tools provide healthcare providers with real-time access to comprehensive patient data, enabling more personalised and timely care. AI and machine-learning systems assist doctors in making better, more informed decisions based on data, leading to improved diagnosis and treatment outcomes. For example, AI-driven assistants can help doc- tors with medical note generation, allowing them to spend more time interacting with patients and offering more tailored care. Moreover, the digitalisation of health records and telemedicine platforms enables doctors to track patient history, share critical data seamlessly with other healthcare providers, and ensure that patients receive consistent and co-ordinated care. Challenges in widespread adoption • Limited internet access: one of the main bar- riers to digital healthcare adoption in Mexico, especially in rural areas, is the lack of reliable internet access. According to the National Survey on the Availability and Use of Informa- tion Technologies in Households as of 2022, only 56% of rural households had internet access, significantly hindering the potential reach of telemedicine and online consulta- tions. • Infrastructure gaps: despite recent advances, infrastructure limitations – such as slow internet speeds and inconsistent broadband coverage – continue to prevent many regions from fully benefiting from digital healthcare solutions. Digital Infrastructure According to data reported by El Economista , a leading Mexican business and economics news
outlet, digital healthcare in Mexico faces signifi- cant barriers due to inadequate digital infrastruc- ture, which continues to reflect and deepen the country’s structural inequalities. For effective deployment of digital healthcare technologies – such as telemedicine, EHRs, and mobile health apps – reliable internet access, affordable devices and digital literacy are essential. However, recent findings from the State Digital Development Index ( Indice de Desarrollo Digital Estatal , or IDDE 2024) reveal that 12 of Mexico’s 32 states have regressed in key digital development indicators. States such as Chiapas, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Verac- ruz show severe delays in internet connectivity, particularly in schools, where less than 10% are connected in some cases. Nationally, broadband coverage declined by 3% from 2022 to 2023, and only 43% of households have access to a computer – a figure unchanged in three years and significantly below interna- tional standards. The fixed broadband penetra- tion rate has fallen sharply in Michoacan (down 25% since 2020), while other states like Zacate- cas, Tabasco and Tlaxcala display low adoption of technology and weak digital skills. Although mobile networks are expanding, they often pro- vide slower, less stable connections compared to fixed broadband. On the innovation front, only 7% of companies in Mexico report using advanced tools like AI or blockchain, and investment in cybersecurity remains weak, with just 22% of firms adopt- ing adequate protective measures. Simultane- ously, the number of STEM graduates fell by 3% and patent applications have declined by 4%, suggesting limited national focus on digital talent and innovation. While states like Chihua- hua, Jalisco and Puebla have made meaningful
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