### Claudia Sheinbaum Appoints Svarch as Director of IMSS-Bienestar
Tijuana, August 13, 2024 — Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s virtual President-elect, has announced the appointment of Alejandro Svarch Pérez as the new General Director of IMSS-Bienestar. She highlighted the crucial role of this position in overseeing health centers, hospitals, and all health prevention and care initiatives.
Currently the head of the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris), Svarch was appointed to this role by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Sheinbaum clarified that while Zoé Robledo will continue to lead the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), Svarch will specifically manage the IMSS-Bienestar health program.
Expressing his gratitude, Svarch thanked Sheinbaum for her trust and commitment to integrating him into her administration. He emphasized the goal of achieving universal healthcare coverage in Mexico. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve our country through IMSS-Bienestar,” he said.
Sheinbaum mentioned that Svarch would continue his responsibilities at Cofepris until September 30, officially taking over his new role on October 1. IMSS-Bienestar has replaced the Institute of Health for Well-being (INSABI) and currently operates in 23 states, with Coahuila and Durango in discussions to join the program.
Svarch holds a degree in Medicine from UNAM and specialized in Internal Medicine. His clinical training includes stints at Pemex’s South Central Hospital of High Specialty, the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, the Regional Hospital of High Speciality of Yucatán, and the Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem. Additionally, he has studied Global Health Diplomacy at The State University of New York.
As the head of Cofepris since February 2021, Svarch has also served as National Medical Coordinator at the now-defunct INSABI. He is the alternate to the Health Secretary, Jorge Alcocer, on the Educational Board of Mexico City’s Government.
Svarch has been involved in numerous national and international publications, presentations, and conferences concerning medical and migration issues and global health. President López Obrador acknowledged that INSABI did not meet its initial objectives but commended the advancements made in purchasing medications internationally, breaking monopolistic control over drug supplies in Mexico.
In light of these developments, on May 29, 2023, a decree was published in the Official Journal of the Federation (DOF), officially replacing INSABI with the IMSS-Bienestar to provide free health services and medications for those without social security.
### Secondary Article: Developments on Mexico’s Healthcare Overhaul
In a related news story, the Mexican government has continued its efforts to reshape the country’s healthcare system. This transformation comes after President López Obrador admitted that the original vision for INSABI was not realized. Despite this, the administration made significant strides in diversifying the supply chain for essential medications, culminating in legislative changes that allowed for international drug purchases.
The Mexican government’s transformation also encompasses shutting down the Mexican State News Agency, NOTIMEX, following contention and labor disputes. The Senate approved the dissolution with 59 votes in favor on December 13, 2023, following a proposal from President López Obrador. This move aims to streamline and effectively revamp governmental communications and public information dissemination.
In other health-related updates, several states continue to negotiate their involvement with IMSS-Bienestar as the national administration pushes towards a unified and comprehensive public healthcare system. The government’s vision of a single, decentralized body to deliver healthcare services across all regions is gradually taking shape with ongoing discussions and agreements.
Stay tuned to TJGringo.com for further updates on this unfolding story and other national news.