**What Are Users Saying About the New Hospital General Zona Este? Lack of Medications and Specialists Reported**
The recently opened Hospital General Zona Este has been receiving criticism from both patients and medical staff due to ongoing issues. Despite the hospital’s inauguration on November 6th, 2024, residents have expressed concerns over the shortage of medications and absence of necessary medical specialists.
María Adela Muñiz Valencia, a senior citizen, visited the hospital with her daughter seeking medical attention. María reported receiving care for an intestinal infection, but her daughter, who experienced a near-heart attack, could not access the required specialized treatment. They were advised to go to another hospital in Zona Rio. Unfortunately, this situation mirrors the experiences of other patients who have been unable to obtain adequate care at the new facility.
Reports indicate that 30 hospital workers, ranging from orderlies to radiology technicians, general practitioners, and specialists, have faced payment delays. Many were hired in early September but have yet to receive full compensation, leading to fear of retaliation if they complain openly. Although federal authorities promised resolution by November 8th, the problem persists.
The hospital’s construction was a state government project, but staffing and operation management fall under the federal health program currently overseen by IMSS Bienestar. During the hospital’s opening, officials claimed that 21 specialists, including gynecologists, pediatricians, cardiologists, and others, had been hired. However, gaps persist in various specialties, and logistical issues regarding staff inclusion in national systems have been identified as reasons for payment delays.
Despite a promise from the governor that this is the “most beautiful hospital ever built in the country,” operational shortcomings, highlighted by limited medical supplies, such as basic painkillers during the opening, have been disappointing. Staff shortages further hinder service delivery, with morning shifts comprising only a handful of specialists.
**Secondary Article: Growing Challenges in Mexican Healthcare Services**
Across Mexico, hospitals have faced ongoing challenges, from insufficient staffing to inadequate medical supplies. A broader narrative emerges of underfunding in public health services, resulting in treatment delays and an overstretched healthcare workforce.
Recent healthcare budget reviews suggest that while efforts are being made to recruit more specialists, achieving effective distribution remains a problem. Many healthcare facilities, especially in densely populated or rural areas, continue to lack the ideal composition of medical personnel needed to provide comprehensive care.
In response, the Mexican government has initiated various incentive programs aimed at drawing specialists into the public sector. These incentives include competitive salaries and benefits. Nevertheless, the demand for specialized healthcare is growing faster than the supply, creating an urgent need for systematic reforms and increased funding to meet the ever-growing healthcare needs of the population.
As Mexico strives to enhance its healthcare system, overcoming these barriers is critical to ensuring that hospitals like the Hospital General Zona Este can fulfill their promise of comprehensive medical care to all patients.