The rollout of Mexico's Salud Casa por Casa program is set to transform how medical services are delivered to some of the country's most vulnerable populations. Launched under the leadership of President Claudia Sheinbaum, this initiative aims to provide free medical attention directly within the homes of seniors and individuals with disabilities, addressing both healthcare access and quality of life.
Since the program's inception, it has already made significant strides. From October 7 to December 15, 2024, the program has recorded over 69,587 health censuses conducted by various health workers, known as Servidores de la Nación. These workers are tasked with gathering information on the health and social circumstances of participants across the nation, as highlighted by Jesús Alejandro Ruiz Uribe, the delegate for Social Programs in Baja California. He stated, "Estos censos son fundamentales para nuestros adultos mayores y personas con algún tipo de discapacidad porque se trata de llevarles atención médica y medicinas en el seno de sus hogares" ("These censuses are fundamental for our senior citizens and people with disabilities because they are about delivering medical care and medications within their homes.")
Thanks to this initiative, more than 3 million households have been visited by census workers, working diligently to collect health data on seniors and disabled individuals. According to the Secretary of Welfare, Ariadna Montiel, this project reflects the government's commitment to ensuring health equity and accessible healthcare for all vulnerable populations.
Across various states, the program has set ambitious targets for completion. For example, Rodolfo Rodríguez Bojórquez, who oversees social programs in the South of Tamaulipas, shared his expectations of reaching approximately 60,000 censuses within just 13 days leading up to the year-end deadline. He encouraged local citizens, urging them to "que tengan confianza, no es necesario hacernos pasar" ("Have confidence, it’s not necessary to let us pass"), underlining the importance of participation to benefit from this health initiative.
Once the initial census phase is complete, health professionals, including doctors and nurses, will provide monthly health assessments for participants. This includes monitoring basic health parameters such as blood pressure and glucose levels, which is particularly important for those managing chronic conditions. Rodríguez Bojórquez mentioned, "A partir de enero de 2025 los ciudadanos puedan recibir mensualmente la atención de salud en sus domicilios" ("Starting January 2025, citizens will receive monthly health attention at their homes").
While the program has been progressing smoothly in many areas, challenges remain, particularly concerning the recruitment of healthcare professionals. Jalisco has experienced difficulties finding qualified medical staff, with over 3,000 applications submitted but only around 800 positions available. Katia Meave Ferniza, the Jalisco delegate, noted the disparity faced by rural communities where medical personnel often reside far from where they are needed. She mentioned, "Son algunas localidades de algunos municipios porque pues propiamente no vive personal médico en esos lugares" ("There are some localities and municipalities because there is no medical staff living there").
The situation has prompted the government to explore creative solutions, including the possibility of stationing medical personnel from adjacent regions to cover for the gaps. Meave Ferniza expressed optimism for the program's expansion, asserting, "Vamos a empezar a contactar a los que ya quedaron, ya pasaron digamos que todas las revisiones documentales" ("We are going to start contacting those who have passed all the documentary checks"). The program's structure promotes not only healthcare access but also sets the groundwork for creating sustainable medical support networks across communities.
Over 40,000 households have already been documented by the health workers in Campeche, with plans to reach up to 96,000 total, as highlighted by local officials. This figure includes approximately 33,700 seniors and 6,900 individuals with disabilities who will all benefit from the increasing focus on home health services. The overarching goal of the Salud Casa por Casa initiative is to improve life quality, addressing the barriers faced by marginalized groups and ensuring they receive the medical attention they deserve.
With plans firmly set to continue, the program shows great promise not just as a response to immediate healthcare needs but also as part of Mexico’s broader social welfare strategy aimed at uplifting disadvantaged communities. The coming months will be imperative for solidifying the reach of this initiative as it seeks to reinforce the self-worth and health of those most at risk, creating lasting impacts throughout the communities it serves.
