# IMSS-Bienestar to Strengthen in the Next Term: Zoé Robledo
The IMSS-Bienestar program, established by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, marks a significant milestone in providing free healthcare to 53.2 million Mexicans without social security in 23 states. Zoé Robledo, Director General of IMSS, highlighted the program’s notable progress since its initiation on October 10, 2023. The healthcare infrastructure has expanded from 80 to 660 hospitals and from 3,622 to 11,935 Rural Medical Units (UMR). Additionally, the workforce has grown from 23,967 to 274,977 employees.
IMSS-Bienestar operates on five core principles: it is public, free, universal, preventive, and based on national planning, as explained by Robledo. Regarding the hiring of medical specialists, 14 states have reached 100% coverage, while another nine have surpassed 95% coverage.
Robledo emphasized the improvement in medical staffing, with the number of medical specialists increasing to 27,129, general physicians to 37,739, and nurses to 103,759. He also noted that most of the 11,000 health centers, which previously lacked doctors, are now staffed. Moreover, 7,199 centers now operate from Monday to Sunday.
For medication supply, a Unique Catalog has been developed, enhancing the availability of medicines and medical supplies by 62%. Additionally, 5.2 million IMSS-Bienestar credentials have been distributed across 1,925 municipalities. The program has seen an investment of 17,555 million pesos for the acquisition of 189,324 units of medical equipment for hospitals and health centers.
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# Secondary Article: The Role of Healthcare Professionals in IMSS-Bienestar’s Expansion
In complement to the main achievements of the IMSS-Bienestar program, the consolidation of a skilled workforce remains vital. The recruitment of healthcare professionals has been a cornerstone of the initiative’s success. According to recent data, the program has made monumental strides in increasing its medical workforce, including specialists, general physicians, and nursing staff.
Moreover, Robledo’s plan is to ensure every health center and hospital within the IMSS-Bienestar system is equipped with the necessary personnel and resources. Continuous training programs are being established to keep the medical staff updated with the latest practices and technologies, ensuring that the quality of healthcare provided remains high.
Provision of robust healthcare services across rural and urban settings is critical for the program’s ongoing success. The introduction of a Unique Medication and Medical Supplies Catalog is a strategic move to standardize and streamline the availability of essential medical resources.
The future of IMSS-Bienestar looks promising, as it stands to benefit from continued government support and investment in healthcare infrastructure and personnel. With ongoing efforts to bolster the medical workforce and resource availability, the program is well-positioned to address the healthcare needs of millions of Mexicans in the coming years.
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