[Health manpower in Mexico]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Workforce Analysis
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Mexico faces health challenges due to population growth, migration, and economic instability.
• Primary mortality causes in 1981 included accidents, violence, heart disease, and infectious diseases.
• Existing health infrastructure is strained by demographic shifts and economic pressures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the health manpower situation in Mexico.
• To identify disequilibrium within the health sector.
• To inform the development of a National Health System.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of demographic trends (population increase, migration).
• Review of primary mortality data (1981).
• Examination of health professional graduation rates (physicians, nurses, dentists).

Main Results:

• Significant increase in physician graduates from 1976 to 1983.
• Approximately 98,000 nurses, with 40% being professionals.
• Disproportionate and inefficient growth in the dentist contingent.
• Federal government initiative to establish a National Health System.

Conclusions:

• The health sector in Mexico exhibits significant disequilibrium.
• Coordination between educational and health institutions is crucial.
• Recommendations focus on aligning physician training with national needs and improving educational quality.