With a free market economy, Mexico is considered to be the 12th largest economy worldwide as measured in the purchasing power parity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Generally speaking, the healthcare in Mexico is very impressive, and in some cases, excellent.
Most of the healthcare practitioners in Mexico have been trained in western countries. Mid-sized and larger cities in Mexico have at least one first-rate hospital and the cost of healthcare is generally lower than one might expect to pay in the US. This being the case, a lot of North Americans travel to Mexico for simple dental work or minor surgeries. The same applies for prescription drugs. On average, prescription drugs that are manufactured in Mexico are about 50% cheaper compared to similar drugs manufactured in the United States. Aside from affordable costs, larger centres in Mexico offer first class restaurants plus a full range of healthcare services. Medical practitioners will also consider doing house calls, depending on the situation.
Generally speaking, the cost of medical care services vary by hospital, by physician, or by the seriousness of one’s condition. On average, an office visit with a doctor-specialist included could cost you between 250 and 300 pesos, or roughly $25. Lab tests could cost about one-third of the comparative cost in the United States. CAT scans are 25% cheaper than in the US. Overnight stays in a private hospital room can only cost you about three-hundred pesos, roughly $30. Furthermore, visiting the dentist for some teeth cleaning will cost about two hundred pesos or $20.
Healthcare planning in Mexico
The development of the healthcare system in Mexico is being carefully planned. This includes equipping hospitals with the latest in medical technology. Aside from having excellent medical practitioners and accommodating medical staff, the healthcare system of Mexico has continuously made a name for itself as one of the few countries that provide relatively affordable, quality healthcare. From medicines to medical services, everything is surprisingly just within one’s reach.
Some health concerns in Mexico
Compared to other countries, there are some health risks more evident and prominent in Mexico, simply because of its lifestyle and culture. Mexico has shown a rapid increased in certain health problems due to pesticide use. In fact, this problem is starting to become a major area of concern, particularly in states like the Chiapas where 58% of the total population are engaged in agricultural work, including pesticide use. Although most of the residents are aware of the importance of safety precautions, those from outside these areas do not seem to appreciate or understand the possible dangers.
Another major health concern is the rapid increase in the number of AIDS cases. AIDS ranked 11th in 1988 among the leading causes of death, but in a span of eight years it has become the third leading cause of death in Mexico.