Mexico Health Summit 2023 - Impact Report

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The global fast-paced environment is forcing health industry players to rapidly adapt to the sector’s transformation brought about by the emergence of new technologies, cyberthreats and sustainability demands, even as they deal with existing diseases and long-standing problems. The urge to develop innovative solutions and the increased awareness of sustainability are forcing all actors in the health sector to reinvent the way health services are offered.

The disruption of the industry is linked to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which came to reshape healthcare provision and services. Hospitals are no longer limited by walls; medical attention can now be customized to the specific needs of patients and medical devices are becoming an essential tool to elevate virtual care. Although the sanitary crisis brought many opportunities, new challenges are also rising. Cyberattacks, lack of infrastructure and regulatory obstacles are slowing down the industry in Mexico.

To overcome these obstacles, industry players need to align their priorities to achieve common goals. At Mexico Health Summit 2023, health leaders discussed the latest trends regarding digital health and put the spotlight on the opportunities offered by the Mexican health system. Decision makers also addressed the implementation of efficient cybersecurity strategies and the use of big data to improve healthcare. Despite the challenges, experts agree that the patient must remain at the center of healthcare provision and innovation should strive to improve the patient’s qualit y of life.

103 companies 208 conference participants

Breakdown by job title

47 speakers

118 in-person attendance

4 sponsors

4,712 visitors to the conference website

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146 participants

1,272 matchmaking communications

84 1:1 meetings conducted

Matchmaking intentions

• Abeile Med

• Accord farma

• Akamai

• Allergen free México

• AnAfAr M e X

• An Ce

• An ICAnn

• asistensi

• Asociación HealthTech mexico

• Asociación para evitar la Ceguera en México

• Astellas

• AstraZeneca

• Baxter

• Becton Dickinson

• Biopharma Consulting AG

• Bioskinco

• BOSTO n SCIenT

• Breakthrough Ip Intelligence

• Business france

• CAnACInTr A

• Cene TeC

• Clúster de Turismo Medico de puebla A.C.

• CrODA M e XICO

• Cushman & Wakefield

• Delegación General de Québec en México

• DOC24

• DoHealth

• ecaresoft

• edwards Lifesciences

• embajada de Canadá - Gobierno de Ontario

• embajada de la república Checa

• embassy of Israel

• e strategia corporativa

• evonik Mexico S.A de C.V.

• e xpertos 360

• farmalisto

• frontierView

• fundación Carlos Slim

• Global Health Intelligence

• Grunenthal

• Grupo Mexicano de Hospitales

• Grupo nichos

• G rU p O VITALM e X

• H&B

• Hc promedical

• Health IDS

• HOS pITAL AZU r A

• Hospital San Angel Inn

• Hospital Santa Mónica

• Independiente

• Industria farmaceutica Andrómaco

• Instituto nacional de Geriatría

• Insumos para la Salud

• K pMG

• Laboratorios de e specialidades Inmunológicas S.A. de C.V.

• Landsteiner Scientific S.A. de C.V.

• LifeSciences Consultants

• LLyC

• MedAdvice

• Medical Vive SA de CV

• Medikit

• Medtronic

• MeetingDoctors

• MexicoView

• Mindray Medical

• MoviCare

• national Institutes of Health Mexico

• nemotek

• netherlands embassy in Mexico

• new Zealand Trade and enterprise

• nutriADn

• Oficina Comercial de Israel en México

• OLIVAreS

• Olympus Mexico

• OM rO n Health Care Mexico

• Oncología Integral Satélite

• parque pharma

• plenna

• p Q eGroup

• pragmatec

• prOS periA

• p wc

• reliv.la

• Sánchez Devanny

• SAn ULAC

• Secretaría de Salud

• S eDeSA

• Servicios de Salud de Durango

• Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics

• Signufarma S,A. de C,V.

• Social Diabetes

• SOHIn Soluciones Hospitalarias Integrales

• SOMIB

• Sterigenics

• Swiss Business Hub

• TI Salud

• TM f G rOU p

• UCIn Medica

• Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

• Vitalmex

• WeeCompany

• Weser pharma

• Zimat

09:00 THE RISE OF SMART HOSPITALS IN MEXICO

Moderator: Javier Marín, LLyC

Panelists: Javier Potes, CMH

Sonia López, panamerican Clinical research - Cuernavaca

Juana Ramírez, Grupo Sohin

Luisa Suárez, Vitalmex

09:45

KEY TRENDS IN HOSPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION

Moderator: Briseyda Reséndiz, SMAeS

Panelists: Bernardo Altamirano, Mexican Hospital Group

Luis Miguel Gutiérrez, S n I

Jorge Cabrera, Cabrera & Consultores en e strategia y riesgos

10:30

NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK - AI-POWERED 1:1 MEETINGS

12:00 TELEMEDICINE USE AND ADOPTION IN THE MEXICAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Moderator: Giovanna Abramo, plenna

Panelists: Héctor Valle, funSalud

Guillaume Corpart, Global Health Intelligence

Diego Pelz, Ministry of Health

Jesús Hernández, HealthTech

Cristina Campero, prosperia

13:00 OPTIMIZING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE AND ENGAGEMENT WITH VIRTUAL CARE SERVICES

Speaker: Fernando Castilleja, Genethic Services by Sohin

13:30

NETWORKING LUNCH - AI-POWERED 1:1 MEETINGS

15:00 MEXICO’S GROWTH OPPORTUNITY AS A MEDICAL TOURISM DESTINATION

Moderator: Rosario Pereira, Ministry of Tourism

Panelists: Gabriela Clavel, Abeile Med

José Luis Elizondo, Wellmedic

Fernando Santiago, Medical Tourism Cluster

Misael Uribe, Médica Sur

16:00 REGULATING DIGITAL TOOLS TO INCREASE HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY

Speaker: Julio Sánchez Y Tépoz, Health Sanitary Consulting

13:30

NETWORKING COCKTAIL - AI-POWERED 1:1 MEETINGS

09:00 INNOVATIVE MODELS TO ACCELERATE MEDICAL DEVICES PURCHASING BY HOSPITALS

Speaker: Javier Pinzón, doHealth

09:30 SANITARY REGISTRY OF MEDICAL DEVICES: TECHNOVIGILANCE IN MEXICO

Moderator: Lorena Garza, e xpertos 360

Panelists: Montserrat Galindo, Masimo

Karla Yazmin Sánchez, An Ce

Rosa Macías, Independent Consultant

10:30 QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE USE OF MEDICAL DEVICES

Speaker: Francisco Aceves, SOMIB

11:00

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY - AI-POWERED 1:1 MEETINGS

12:00 INDUSTRY 5.0 AND OTHER TRENDS SHAPING MEXICO’S FUTURE MEDICAL DEVICE MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVENESS

Speaker: Pablo Fuentes, Breakthrough I p Intelligence

Panelists: Roberto Galán, CAnACInTr A

Héctor Barillas, IGSA Medical Services

Ingrid Ortiz, OLIVAreS

13:00 RESHAPING THE ROLE OF MEDICAL DEVICES TO ADDRESS AGEING, HOME-BASED SERVICES AND VIRTUAL CARE

Moderator: Gervasio Videla, ellie Care

Panelists: Patrick Devlyn, CCe

Vanessa Ballarte, Omron Health

María Salido, SocialDiabetes

Jorge Daniel Alarcón, CAn IfAr MA

14:00

NETWORKING COCKTAIL - AI-POWERED 1:1 MEETINGS

15:00 IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISING PROMINENCE OF CYBERSECURITY FOR HEALTH FACILITIES AND MEDICAL DEVICES

Moderator: Alan García, nemotek

Panelists: Marco Antonio Quezada, Durango Health Services

Claudio Baumann, Akamai

Romeo Sánchez, ecaresoft

Rommel García, K pMG Mexico

16:00

BIG DATA’S POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR: SHARING IS CARING?

Speaker: Karla Chacón, Chihuahua Ministry of Health

Panelists: Bárbara Barry, Mayo Clinic

Eunice Vargas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño

Bruno Valera, Medikit

PATIENT-CENTRICITY, INTEGRATION: ESSENTIAL FOR SMART HOSPITALS

Smart hospitals are the future of healthcare. They integrate technology, data and automation to generate operational efficiency, better healthcare and cost reduction. However, to be truly smart, the hospital needs to be part of an interconnected ecosystem that involves all players, including patients, agree industr y experts.

“A smart hospital is more efficient and intelligent. To be smart, hospitals must be connected and focus on patient experience. Smart hospitals are an ecosystem in which everyone has a role to play,” says Sonia López, General Director, p an-American Clinical research.

improved communication have transformed healthcare into an ecosystem where hospitals are no longer the sole provider of care, but rather a part of an interconnected network,” says Suárez.

Above all, smart hospitals improve experience by increasing patient autonomy, enabling telemedicine and increasing the quality of information generated, reports Intel. The focus should be shifted toward prevention rather than treatment, and a smart hospital can make this a reality, says López. “Telemedicine is an integral part of a smart hospital,” she says and adds that this kind of technology enables better patient monitoring.

Health professionals also benefit from the transition to smart hospitals. p hysicians with more time will be able to provide more humane, quality care to patients, improving their experience.

Luisa Suárez CEO | Vitalmex

To offer innovative and efficient services, smart hospitals rely on hospital management and patient care through digital platforms. They also invest in technologies such as augmented reality and AI. Including these technologies in healthcare is becoming increasingly essential, as they could help reduce annual national healthcare expenditures by over 10%. By measuring indicators based on data, smart hospitals can also influence the creation of medical value.

While the Mexican healthcare system is far from achieving interconnectivity, the technology behind smart hospitals already exists, says Luis Suárez, C e O, Vitalmex. “The use of data and automation to drive operational efficiency, improve healthcare outcomes and reduce costs is already a reality. Interconnectivity and

“A smart hospital is designed to enhance the patient experience by automating processes, freeing up medical personnel to provide more personalized and emotionally supportive care. By integrating technology and automation, doctors can improve the overall quality of care that patients receive,” says Suárez.

Smart hospitals must be resilient, sustainable and intelligent, says López. “These hospitals must be interconnected, enable electronic medical records, traceability of supplies and medicines and provide effective medical care,” she adds. According to p AHO, although the smart hospital concept is yet to be fully implemented in Latin America, several countries are deploying it in the region.

Hospitals must have resiliency, which implies a safe and secure environment. This can be achieved through measures such as sound roofing and foundation, improved security and signage, secured equipment and fuel

“Our top priority should be to place the patient at the center of everything we do, including how we collect and use data to serve both the patient and the healthcare system as a whole”

storage and protected and efficient doors and windows, among other strategies. Secondly, hospitals must be sustainable, which means they must operate ways that reduce downtime and operating costs, according to pAHO. finally, hospitals must aim to become green, through water optimization and other initiatives, says the organization.

While technology and automation may improve patient experience in a hospital, a patient-centric approach is the foundation of smart hospitals, says Juana r amírez, f ounder and C e O, Grupo SOHI n . Most important is to put the patient at the center, understanding their environment and making a plan leveraging technology, she says. “An accompanied patient costs 35% less to the system. It is not only the right thing to do, putting the patient in the center is also good business,” she adds.

By 2029, the smart hospital market is expected to be valued at US$147.5 billion, as reported by Globe n ewswire. However, this trend is spreading unevenly across countries. “Mexico has a great need to digitize operations within hospitals. In the country, it is common to use pencil and paper to track patient records or appointments. This occurs even in large hospitals that attend up to 400 patients a day. The country’s technological infrastructure needs improvement, but some hospitals are more sophisticated than others,” felipe rodríguez, CeO, Cero.ai, tells MB n

Some consider that Mexico’s hospital automation is progressing slowly but technology is not the real issue delaying the implementation of smart hospitals, says Javier p otes, General Director, Consorcio Mexicano de Hospitales (CMH). “ f irst, the patient must be placed at the center. This means shifting the current focus of the healthcare model. Then, financing is essential to enable smart hospitals. The health financing system is the most important factor. The main keys to success are patient-centric approach, coordination, financing and te chnology.”

financing and overall spending are crucial issues, agrees Javier Marín, Senior Director Healthcare Americas, Llorente y Cuenca. Investing in health prevention will create a more informed patient, who can undergo regular check-ups and end up arriving “less sick” to the hospital, resulting in lower costs, s ays Marín.

Technology continues advancing and permeating all industries and the healthcare sector is no exception. With priorities well aligned, the Mexican healthcare industry must continue moving toward digitization and automation, with a patient-centric approach, says Suárez: “Our top priority should be to place the patient at the center of everything we do, including how we collect and use data to serve both the patient and the healthcare system as a whole.”

BUILDING HOSPITALS THAT ADDRESS PATIE NT’S NEEDS

Digitalization is allowing hospital infrastructure to increase efficiency and improve the quality of care, disrupting the way hospitals are being built and managed. Adapting infrastructure to the new needs of the patient will allow hospitals to become “smart,” helping them to improve healthcare, increase security and optimize the use of resources.

“The future is a universal healthcare system not limited by walls,” says Briseyda r eséndiz, p resident, Mexican Society of Architects Specialized in Healthcare (SMA e S). Health infrastructure is critical to society as it provides the necessary foundation for all health services. The spaces in which patients are treated determine the experience, cost and results of health interventions. f or this reason, hospital infrastructure has to boost the continuous evolution of healthcare trends.

“The crisis of the health system is not exclusive to Mexico. The lack of efficiency is related to the emergency space and the over-saturation of these services in an increasingly dense and violent environment”

Luis Miguel Gutiérrez Level 3 Researcher | SNI

However, Mexico has many challenges to overcome before its healthcare system aligns with key trends in hospital infrastructure. As of April 2022, hospital infrastructure in Mexico encompassed around 3,655 hospitals, almost 154,000 beds and roughly 6,800 across the country, as reported by Statista. “We have two different realities in Mexico. In the public sector, patients suffer from lack of services and adequate infrastructure, which is becoming a crisis,” says Jorge Cabrera, p artner and Director, Cabrera & Consultores en e strategia y r iesgos. The lack of resources is an obstacle to the introduction of innovation to Mexican hospital infrastructure. “Creativity in financing is still needed to support access to health. By having financing options, there can be more innovation in infrastructure,” explains Altamirano.

Other challenges include reluctance from many players to adopt the changes, as they deem them too complex or expensive. These obstacles hinder the deployment of new strategies that can improve the patient’s experience and the operations of the healthcare system.

However, hospital infrastructure is undergoing rapid disruptions as it adapts to digitalization, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), telemedicine and AI, among other technologies. Leveraging the benefits of these tools will allow hospitals to improve patient outcomes. new concepts to address the continuous changes linked to hospital infrastructure are rapidly arising. “’Hacking hospitals’ is a concept that is redefining the preconceptions we have of a hospital,” says Bernardo Altamirano, Director General, Mexican Hospital Group. This trend calls for the need to separate and redefine all the components of the hospital model to successfully redesign them, he adds.

Changes to hospital models could help healthcare workers turn their attention to overlooked populations, such as seniors. “The needs of the elderly are not being addressed by hospitals, for example, mobility is not being prioritized despite being vital for the well-being of this segment of the population. All of these factors impact their experience when using the system and its quality,” says Luis Miguel Gutiérrez, Level 3 r esearcher S n I, n ational Institute of Geriatrics (I n G er).

These problems are limited to Mexican hospitals. “The crisis of the health system is not exclusive to Mexico. The lack of efficiency is related to the emergency space and the over-saturation of these services in an increasingly dense and violent environment,” explains Gutiérrez.

f or hospital infrastructure to become a catalyst for improving the delivery of healthcare services, medical institutions have to follow evidence-based designs, according to r eséndiz. “We should never forget that we must build a system for humans, with humanity and helped by the humanities,” she explains.

Strengthening legislation and regulation regarding digitalization is also essential to boost innovation. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is also urgent to achieve the goal of providing universal healthcare coverage. “One of the most

important aspects is that these technologies must allow a change in the industry and turn it into an opportunity to generate economies of scale,” says Cabrera.

“Work has been done in Mexico to improve and maintain the infrastructure of the country’s hospitals, clinics and health centers. Whether it is a case of modernizing old hospitals or bringing new ones up to standard, the aim is to improve the quality of health services by replacing obsolete equipment and purchasing new devices,” writes Guillaume

Copart, founder and CeO, Global Health Intelligence, on MB n

TELEMEDICINE COULD NARROW MEXICO’S HEALTHCARE ACCESS GAP

Telemedicine has been growing in Mexico, especially after the pandemic, due to its impact on patients, physicians and the healthcare system. It is allowing hospitals to increase accessibility, improve services and reduce waiting times for both patients and health professionals, narrowing the country’s healthcare access gap. Its implementation is bringing to light both opportunities and challenges within the Mexican healthcare system.

“Mexico faces a significant healthcare access gap due to three decades of underinvestment in the sector. When patients seek care, the healthcare system may fail them due to issues such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient personnel or lack of medicines. Specialists may not be able to reach remote areas of the country, and doctors require security, quality of life and adequate compensation to work in those regions. However, technology can help

connect Mexicans with specialists, regardless of their location. Telemedicine is a critical tool that can help narrow the healthcare access gap that exists in Mexico,” says Héctor Valle, executive president, funSalud.

The pandemic forced healthcare systems to prioritize patient safety, and telehealth has become a popular alternative to in-person care. The shift to virtual health has brought numerous benefits for patients, medical professionals and healthcare systems. Telehealth offers patients more flexibility in their care, allowing them to adhere better to treatments and experience better health outcomes, according to Siemens.

Medical professionals benefit from telemedicine by having greater personal and professional benefits, including increased collaboration between different medical disciplines and easier follow-up

with patients. Healthcare systems benefit from telehealth by expanding their patient base while reducing overall costs. Overall, telehealth has proven to be more than just a trend, says Siemens, as it has the potential to disrupt the healthcare industry.

While the pandemic boosted telemedicine adoption, its usage has decreased in the post-pandemic world, with patients and physicians returning to in-person care, says Jesús Hernández, president, Mexican HealthTech Association. “To increase telehealth adoption, a sound business model must be developed based on a clear understanding of its benefits. Aligning incentives and interests of all stakeholders in the healthcare system is crucial to promote its widespread usage,” says Hernández.

Guillaume Corpart, f ounder and C e O, Global Health Intelligence, sees telemedicine as a double-edged sword that brings both opportunities and challenges.

“Hospitals have been reluctant to invest in telehealth because they do not have clear business models to manage both channels [telemedicine and in-person care] at the same time.” Hospitals’ hesitation to advance in their telehealth strategies creates an opportunity for market disruptors and startups to grow in telemedicine services and disrupt the market, says Corpart.

The healthcare market is ripe for technological disruption as consumer dissatisfaction and rising healthcare costs reach breaking point, according to LL r p artners. To take full advantage of the coming transformation, companies must strategically align with four trends that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare: the need to focus on the consumer; service delivery outside the hospital; consumer devices, such as phones and tablets; and machine learning algorithms to “nudge” consumers toward better choices. Telemedicine and AI have vast potential for creating innovative solutions.

While the benefits of telehealth at a first level of care are clear, this technology also presents several challenges and risks, says Diego p elz, Coordinator of Liaison and Academic projects, Mexico City’s Ministry of Health. “The patient may not have a stable network or may not understand enough of the internet, which can greatly alter the effectiveness of the health service, and the results may end up being negative,” says pelz. It is crucial to reinforce both technical and clinical quality to ensure a successful implementation of telemedicine, he adds.

Obstacles to the adoption of telemedicine in Mexico include limited access to technology, legal and regulatory issues, infrastructure

limitations, cultural and language barriers and payment and reimbursement policies. In rural and low-income areas, several people lack access to reliable internet or mobile devices, which can make it difficult for them to participate in telemedicine consultations, says Giovanna Abramo, Co- f ounder and Co-CeO, plenna.

In addition, legal and regulatory issues such as licensing requirements, reimbursement policies, and liability concerns must be addressed to ensure that telemedicine services are provided in a safe and effective manner. “It is important to expedite the regulatory process for telemedicine. International telehealth guidelines could provide great help. Also, we must address interoperability to ensure that telemedicine solutions can effectively integrate with existing healthcare systems,” says p elz.

Telemedicine Could reduce Women’s Healthcare Access Gap

Telemedicine has the potential to narrow the overall healthcare access gap that exists in the country, especially the one faced by

women, says Cristina Campero, e

xecutive Director, prosperia.

Women in rural or low-income areas may have limited access to healthcare services due to a lack of resources or infrastructure, which can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment. In addition, women may face taboo situations and cultural stigmas that prevent them from seeking care for certain health issues. In certain communities, discussing sexual and reproductive health may be considered inappropriate or shameful. These barriers to healthcare access can result in significant health disparities for women in Mexico, which can impact their overall well-being and qualit y of life.

“Telemedicine has the potential to greatly benefit populations living in rural or underserved communities with limited access to healthcare services. It also has the potential to address gender disparities in healthcare, including taboo issues in women’s health. Women may face limited time or discomfort discussing certain issues, which can have a significant impact on their quality of life in Mexico,” says Campero.

TECHNOLOGY TO RESHAPE HEALTHCAR E SERVICES

Virtual care services are reshaping expectations by allowing patients to solve their health problems from the comfort of their homes. This model is also improving communication with healthcare providers and increasing patient engagement in their own care. But for these technologies to continue benefiting the final customer, it is important to keep the patient involved in the development of new solutions.

“ new technologies are not going to replace doctors but they are going to displace those who do not use them,” says fernando Castilleja, CeO, Genethic Services by Sohin

Telemedicine and online consultations help patients to save time, increase access to specialists and eliminate the need to travel. These tools have also increased accessibility

to health services as they can surpass any geographical barrier. These services also allow for remote monitoring, which is essential for the proper treatment of some diseases. “ p atients with chronic diseases like diabetes require constant checkups and our virtual assistant can help in this process. This bot can remind the patient of their next check-up,” robert parada, C eO, COCO Tecnologías, tells MB n

Although telemedicine can be useful to treat specific diseases, it is important to consider that not every patient needs the same treatment and that not all doctors offer a similar experience to each patient. “Doctors are not the same. The relation they can build with a particular patient can be different from the one they build with others,” says C astilleja.

Although many opportunities are emerging, these technologies are also generating many challenges. In this age of interconnectivity, patients often arrive at the doctor with a selfdiagnosis. They are also not approaching doctors to prevent diseases; they approach them when they present symptoms, explains Castilleja. furthermore, cybersecurity threats demand that telemedicine is supported by platforms that protect sensitive information with encryption protocols that comply with the US’s Health Insurance p ortability and Accountability Act (HI pAA), which help to ensure that the data is protected.

To successfully implementing these solutions, it is necessary to ask for constant feedback from patients. This information will allow developers to guarantee that the technology and services fulfill patients’ needs and allow for the continuous improvement of virtual care. feedback is essential to continue putting the patient at the center of every decision.

“As long as each one of us as healthcare professionals and key players keeps the patient at the center of our decisions, we will be adding value to our society,” Oscar ramos, Director of Operations and patient experience, TecSalud, tells MBn

p latforms must also take advantage of existing infrastructure to increase engagement with patients. “Digital tools can help us, not as the ultimate goal, but as a support tool,” says Castilleja. The goal is to have a system that can offer a personal follow up service to achieve patient-centered healthcare.

Technologies can support health professionals to improve the attention they provide to patients. “An AI with the genomic information of the patient, capable of crossreferencing it with a database to recognize patterns, can assist in the treatment to avoid errors,” says C astilleja.

MEXICO HAS A UNIQUE POTENTIAL TO SKYROCKET MEDICAL TOURISM

Mexico is the second largest medical tourism hub globally and the industry can bring even more economic opportunities, as the country can provide quality healthcare at an accessible cost. As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, medical tourism has become an essential aspect of the country’s economic recovery. Despite the challenges, health experts and the Mexican government

remain confident that the country can become a critical tourism hub for n orth America.

The four main drivers of medical tourism are: economics, access to treatments not available in the patient’s country, avoiding long wait times for treatments, and the quality of care, which varies drastically depending on the country,

says r osario p ereira, Director of Cultural Development and Health Tourism, Ministry of Tourism (S eCTU r).

In post-pandemic times, medical tourism offers many different alternatives and by 2030, the sector is expected to grow by 25%, according to International re Medica.

“Mexico City has the medical workforce, infrastructure and technology necessary to become a hub. But selecting the destination for a surgery depends on the type of patient. Some patients come from cold places in the US or Canada and want to visit the beach”

Gabriela Clavel CEO | Abeile Med

Medical tourism is closely linked to both tourism and healthcare. The growth of medical tourism also supports hospitals, hotels, restaurants, clinical centers and airports. However, the sector was forced to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and some of those changes continue until today.

p ereira stresses that having standardized care across the airline, hotel and medical hospital industries is necessary to offer the patient the same level of quality throughout the whole medical tourism value chain. Medical clusters play an important role in this regard, as they help ensure that all necessary care is available in one location. Accessibility, cost, quality, and safety are important considerations for medical tourism, and Mexico needs to publicize the actions it is taking to continue attracting investment.

Mexico’s ideal location allows it to leverage medical tourism, as most foreigners looking for medical care come from both the US and Canada. Tijuana and Cancun are two of the key states for medical tourism in Mexico, explains Javier Balmori, Medical Director, Balmori Aesthetics Center, to MB n . While other states have potential to become medical tourism hubs, the patient is ultimately the one who chooses where to get their care. “Mexico City has the medical workforce, infrastructure and technology necessary to become a hub. But selecting the destination for a surgery depends on the type of patient. Some patients come from cold places in the US or Canada and want to visit the beach,” says Gabriela Clavel, CeO, Abeile Med, to MB n

foreigners find Mexico an attractive medical destination, as it offers savings between 35% and 85% in medical procedures. for example, while in Mexico a cardiac bypass surgery costs about US$27,000, in the US it can cost US$144,000, an 81% difference, as reported by Médica Sur. Mexico can fill the void in medical care that exists in the region but its ability to do so relies on investing in the right strategies to keep positioning the country as a reference in medical tourism.

for Mexico to truly achieve its potential for medical tourism, the country must develop some important opportunity areas. Misael Uribe, Director of International Medicine, Médica Sur, explains that it is essential to guarantee patient safety during medical trips and to adapt the latest technologies and tools the sector has to offer, as patients demand the best possible care.

The private sector has been a key player in the development of medical tourism but the biggest challenge is developing strong communication between the public and private sector, says f ernando Santiago, president, Medical Tourism Cluster. The right steps have to be taken to open the door for a better service. The industry has to generate certainty within each stage in the medical tourism chain and prove it has the capacity and hospital infrastructure to provide any type of health service. for medical tourism to thrive it is key that the world sees Mexico as the country with the best medical care in the world, says Santiago.

The industry needs to know how people across the world perceive health services, because medical tourism is highly related to marketing, due to the very nature of

the tourism sector. According to José Luis elizoldo, founder and partner, Wellmedic, the industry must ask itself “how the people around the world are buying tourism.” The traditional approach has shifted and with it, the way people perceive health services as a whole has also changed.

According to elizoldo, medical tourism is “much more than attracting foreigners,” as the quality of Mexican doctors is first-class. He urges the country to capitalize on its rich culture, natural resources, gastronomy and business opportunities to provide an integral service for all patients. When a medical

center decides to become a specialty center, it creates an excellent opportunity to attract medical tourism.

Mexico’s medical tourism industry has evolved from cosmetic surgeries to include the entire medical process, from diagnosis to recovery. To continue this trend, universities must prepare students in medical tourism, as it will be a differentiating factor in the upcoming years, says Gabriela Clavel, C e O, Abeile Med. She urges industry players to make the medical tourism experience Mexico’s greatest differentiator because the country has all the necessary human and natural resources.

BALANCED REGULATION IS CRUCIAL FOR DIGITAL HEALTH

Mexico’s healthcare system is complex and has struggled with regulatory challenges. The advent of digital health tools has opened new challenges for all industry players amid the epidemiological and demographic transition the country is experiencing. Under these circumstances, regulators have a challenging but essential task to tackle.

As the use of digital health platforms becomes increasingly prevalent, Mexican authorities must be careful not to overregulate but also not to under-regulate digital health tools, says Julio Sánchez y Tepoz, partner, Health Sanitary Consulting: “ r egulation is necessary, but it must

be balanced with market dynamics. If we overregulate, we risk slowing down innovation. We need to adopt a health risk model and establish public policies that safeguard human rights above all.”

The regulation of healthcare and healthrelated products and services has a long history in Mexico, dating back to the early 20th century. In 1906, the first law regulating pharmaceutical products was established and in 1917, the first national health code was published, which established the guidelines for public health activities in the country. However, it was not until the 1980s when Mexico began to implement significant changes to its

healthcare and health regulation systems, says Sánchez y Tepoz.

The General Health Law passed in 1984 established health prevention as a policy objective for the country. In 2004, the federal Commission for protection against Sanitary risks (COfeprIS) was established as the main regulatory body for healthcare and health-related products and services.

Since then, the Mexican government has been working to improve the regulation of healthcare and health-related products and services, implementing various reforms to address the challenges and issues in the sector, says Sánchez y Tepoz. These efforts have included improving the regulatory framework for medical devices, establishing guidelines for research on human subjects and developing regulations for tobacco products, among other policies.

Digital health, which refers to the use of technology to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes, encompasses a wide range of digital tools, from mobile health applications and wearable devices to telemedicine platforms and electronic health records. regulation of digital health is important and must take into account a health risk model, which is “the probability of occurrence of an exogenous adverse event that can cause damage to the life or health of people,” says Sánchez y Tepoz. In this sense, every tool and different part of the value chain must be regulated separately, according to the risk model. “The regulator has great challenges,

and one of them is to understand what technological solutions represent in terms of health,” he adds.

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While regulation of digital health tools already exists, it must be better informed, says Sánchez y Tepoz. In addition, several challenges remain, from training of professionals to education of patients and cybersecurity. Digital tools have the potential to improve the entire healthcare system but Sánchez y Tepoz explains that certain actions must be taken, including:

1. Develop public policies for digital health that are based on a health risk model.

2. Address the digital divide by establishing public-private partnerships that promote the efficient use of information technologies in healthcare.

3. provide training and digital mentoring to healthcare workers to support the adoption of digital health tools.

4. Strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for the operation of digital health components.

Document and establish public policies and private self-regulation solutions to potential issues related to the “new digital identity,” “overuse,” “privacy and security,” and “new content and social relations” that arise from the use of digital health technologies.

MODERNIZING MEXICO’S MEDICAL DEVICES PURCHASING MODEL

Medical costs have ballooned since 1960 and are projected to continue increasing, urging the reduction and control of costs for the continuity of health systems. An actionable and productive starting-point for this objective concerns the modernization of Mexico’s medical devices purchasing model through the digital integration of all supply chain stakeholders, according to Javier pinzón, General Director, doHealth.

“The negotiation of lower prices for medical devices will only take the health sector so far. To significantly reduce the cost curve, hospitals and health systems need to innovate how they leverage their supply chains,” says pinzón.

Health systems in industrialized countries have found significant cost savings through the adoption of automation technologies that have enabled new, impactful efficiencies and standardized supply chains. Despite their observed success, Mexico and Latin America have been slow to adopt such impactful technologies and instead have widely relied on inefficient manual processes. However, patients who have effectively pressured hospitals and healthcare systems to progress toward value-based care or pay-for-performance models, are demanding greater accessibility to medical devices. In short, Mexico needs to

abandon its status quo purchase model so accumulated savings can be passed down to end consumers.

Such an objective “requires stakeholders to quantify the total cost of care and accurately compare it to the cost of clinical results,” says p inzón. Moreover, providers stand to benefit from “developing business partner relationships that support this new approach to patient care,” he suggests.

To satisfy patient expectations, the modernization of Mexico’s medical devices supply chain is fundamental, first necessitating the complete integration of all stakeholders for the facilitated transmission of data. As an extension of this development, the standardization of data is essential for system confidence and vertical legibility from manufacturers, distributors and hospitals. While developing such a framework, stakeholders should be careful to consider and prevent the introduction of individual interests that may influence the standardization of data to their benefit, warns p inzón. To clamp such intentions, stakeholders need to clearly understand how they stand to benefit from the development of such a framework.

Altogether, once a framework is agreed upon and established, stakeholders will

discover greater alignment between demand and supply stemmed from inventory, traceability and transparency. This new model would sharply contrast with one in which the organization purchases goods from multiple suppliers without strategically understanding their demographics’ short and long-term needs. from a supplier’s perspective, an interconnected framework will reduce periods between payments and billing for greater liquidity and even provide greater

insight on production needs from hospitals and health systems.

“Technology will allow us to know which products are the most used, reducing personnel and physical work, while increasing the focus on analytic work and optimizing resources,” says p inzón. Given what is at stake, he underlines: “we should not wait to have the latest technology. We must work with the technology we have and progressively upgrade it.”

TECHNOVIGILANCE TO SUPPORT, ACCELERATE MEDICAL DEVICE APPROVAL

regulation is essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical devices but requires consistent monitoring to be truly effective. Medical device developers and regulators are thus investing in technovigilance to monitor the performance of available devices, ensuring that they adhere to sanitary regulations.

gives them the necessary information to do risk analysis and benefit the patient. Technovigilance ensures that medical devices in Mexico are safe, efficient and fulfill their purpose. If a device presents adverse effects, measures have to be taken to eliminate or decrease the probability of recurrence of these events, according to medical imaging firm Guerbet.

Sanitary registration guarantees that a medical device has been subjected to strict evaluation before its commercialization. Holders of sanitary registries of medical devices must have a technovigilance unit in charge of developing and implementing vigilance and safety measures, reports CAnIfArMA.

“Technovigilance is a system for the identification and evaluation of adverse events produced by medical devices,” explains CO fepr IS. Technovigilance is not only essential for medical device manufacturers and regulators, but also for healthcare professionals, patients and their families. Training and education for both medical personnel, patients and their families on the proper use of medical devices is critical to the effective use of medical devices, says Lorena Garza, CeO, expertos 360.

Garza highlights that technovigilance must be the industry’s ally because manufacturers, suppliers and healthcare institutions can greatly benefit from this technology, which

Although regulation aims to protect the Mexican population, there is significant uncertainty among medical devices manufacturers. “There are several studies from various associations in Mexico that show that CO fepr IS is lagging behind and has been a bottleneck in accessing innovation,” Mario Muñoz, General Manager north Latam region, IQVIA, tells MBn

These regulatory gaps delay or inhibit innovation in medical devices. “Many times, the creation of medical devices begins without taking regulation into account and innovation is not leveraged,” explained Maria Ximena r uiz, p resident, SOMIB’s n ational regulatory Committee.

“Training the general public in the importance of technovigilance is also key to allow the industry receive feedback that can help improve medical devices”

Ximena Ruiz Secretary | SOMIB

However, Mexico’s regulatory processes delay the entrance of new innovation by many years, limiting the patient’s ability to benefit from state-of-the-art technology. Montserrat Galindo, Head of Market Access, Masimo, suggests that a regulatory framework that goes at the same speed as medical device innovation is necessary to help ensure patient’s safety. Coordination between all industry players is also essential to streamline medical device approval and adoption.

“There is a lack of coordination between the main medical organizations in Mexico. We need to share our best practices and experience to facilitate the work that regulatory institutions do and benefit the patient with the latest innovations in the health and medical equipment sector,” says Galindo.

Mexico has an official technovigilance standard but it is still incipient in comparison to those of other regions. However, while traditionally slow, Mexican regulators have greatly transformed medical device laws in recent years because the industry has been adapting faster to international trends and tec hnologies.

The deployment of homologated requirements across the industry will allow foreign medical devices to arrive faster to the patients, says Karla Sánchez, Health and r egulatory Affairs

Manager, Association for Sanitization and Certification (A n C e ). Medical devices manufacturing is complex and the industry needs a robust regulatory framework to ensure patient safety while adapting to the market’s i nnovation.

There is a long way to go before regulators can match the speed at which the industry is evolving. The only way they can catch up is through the generation of open and clear communication channels connecting regulators with industry experts, says Sánchez.

The industry must work hand in hand with regulatory institutions as soon as it begins designing a new medical device to facilitate launch of the product. Mexico needs to work on educating and supporting healthcare institutions to implement the latest innovations in technovigilance, says yolo Macías, Independent Consultant. r egulation of medical devices should not be limited to hospital equipment because equipment for personal use, such as smartwatches that monitor vital signs, is also necessary to ensure user safety, ad ds Macías.

Cybersecurity is another crucial matter that must be addressed to protect client information. As the data and technology already exist, the industry must take actions now to ensure patient’s security and privacy, says Macías. As opportunities that come

from accessing Big Data grow, the risk of cyberattacks also increases.

Training the general public in the importance of technovigilance is also key to allow the industry receive feedback that can help improve medical devices, says Ximena ruiz,

Secretary, Mexican Society of Biomedical engineering (SOMIB). The active participation of all stakeholders in the medical sector, academia, industry associations and colleges can ensure that the entire industry participates in the successful implementation of regulatory processes, explains ruiz.

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ARE KEY TO DEVELOP MEDICAL DEVICES

Using a quality management system (QMS) while developing medical devices can help guarantee the safety and quality of the final product. These systems also help organizations to deliver effective products to the market that, above all, put the patient at the center of healthcare. Also key to the successful development of medical devices are biomedical engineers, who contribute to the design of effective and safe products.

“Technology must be safe and effective. We must reduce the damage technologies cause during a patient’s healing process. Quality standards are essential to ensure this,” said f rancisco Aceves, p resident, Mexican Society of Biomedical engineerin g (SOMIB).

QMSs group a large number of processes and procedures covering all aspects of a medical device’s lifecycle to ensure its

quality and functionality. But to be truly successful, these systems must guarantee operative continuity, ensure that innovation is safe and effective, optimize costs and ensure that the device is aligned with all certifications. “A QMS guarantees the optimal use of sanitary technologies,” explain ed Aceves.

These tools aim to reduce time to market for devices, helping them to comply with industry regulations while eradicating activities that do not add value and improving supplier relationships and management, according to Intellect. The ISO 13485 norm guarantees that all medical devices abide by industry standards during the implementation of a QMS. “Increasingly, organizations in the industry are expected to demonstrate their quality management processes and ensure best practice in everything they do,” says ISO.

The three stages of a QMS are: operative management, evaluation and selection, and regulation and development. The operative management stage is linked with a health technology assessment (HTA) to evaluate the potential benefits and efficiency, clinical and technical safety and the costeffectiveness relationship. The evaluation and selection stage involves a health technology management (HTM) process, while the last stage involves a health technology regulation (HT r) process that can be supported by adhering to ISO, I eC norms and the official Mexican standards for operation and evaluation.

To implement a successful QMS, companies must ensure that they have the correct multidisciplinary teams that can help them to correctly develop new technologies. “Multidisciplinary teams are key to properly tackle sanitary technologies, but also help to adapt to different social contexts,” says Aceves. Although many players are needed for these teams to be successful, biomedical engineers are essential as they are experts in both the necessary technology and the available equipment. “Hospitals should have a biomedical engineering department

to participate in equipment and regulatory framework evaluations,” he explained. Despite their relevance, biomedical engineers are sometimes not consulted by hospitals.

Mexico’s General Law of Health classifies medical devices into six categories: medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and functional aids; diagnosis agents; dental use supplies; surgical and healing material; and hygiene products. e ach of these groups has unique requirements that manufacturers must follow. The wide variety of requirements forces each QMS to adapt to the needs of each category.

By consistently delivering high-quality medical devices, companies can increase their client base and gain a better reputation in the market. QMS offers the patient more safety, better health outcomes, more accessibility to medical devices and improved transparency. By adopting these technologies, the organization leaves room for expansion, growth and profit. If norms and standards are not applied within the processes, companies put the lives of people at risk and innovation can be lost.

LEGISLATION, CAPITAL AND TALENT: FORGING IN DUSTRY 5.0

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred impressive growth in Mexico’s medical devices industry, as demand for innovative technologies skyrocketed in response to the public health crisis, says pablo fuentes, p artner, Breakthrough I p Intelligence. However, as the industry looks to the

future, industry experts are emphasizing the importance of taking a humancentric approach to the development and implementation of these technologies.

The vision for Industry 5.0, they say, involves not only cutting-edge innovation, but also

a focus on enhancing the ways in which technology interacts with and benefits people. Despite the industry’s potential, achieving this vision will require significant support, including legislative measures, investment capital and a highly skilled workforce, according to industr y experts.

“Mexico has great productive capacity, but its medical device exports are mainly maquila products. If Mexican medical device producers truly want to become global innovators of these technologies, they need to invest in process optimization, automation technologies, data security and training,” says r oberto Galan, p resident, n ational Chamber of the Transformation Industry (C AnACITr A).

As Mexico’s medical devices industry looks to the future, it is being swept up in the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. While Industry 4.0 was focused on leveraging advanced technologies to optimize manufacturing processes, Industry 5.0 takes a more holistic approach, prioritizing the well-being of workers, clients and the environment. As reported by Mexico Business n ews, this means creating a synergy between machines and human talent, with a focus on customizing products, improving quality and safety and reducing waste.

f or medical device manufacturers in Mexico, the transition presents both an opportunity and a challenge. On the one hand, embracing the latest technologies and adopting a human-centric approach could strengthen the sector and boost Mexico’s competitiveness, says Hector Barillas, COO, IGSA Medical. On the other hand, it will require significant investment and a willingness to adapt to new ways of working. However, the potential benefits, including improved patient outcomes and a more sustainable industry, make the transition to Industry 5.0 a compelling goal for Mexico’s medical devices industry.

The shift to Industry 5.0 technologies presents a unique opportunity for Mexico’s medical devices industry to increase its global competitiveness. As Industry 5.0 transforms the way medical devices are developed, manufactured and used, it promises to improve manufacturing processes, enable the creation of personalized medical devices, enhance connectivity and optimize supply chain management. However, for Mexico’s medical device sector, transitioning to Industry 5.0 is not without challenges.

The industry has long struggled with issues related to regulation and lack of understanding and flexibility from

authorities, which can hinder the adoption of new technologies, says Ingrid Ortiz, Lawyer, Olivares. Additionally, while the national priority is to support the industry, there is a need to ensure that clusters with manufacturing capabilities are generating added value to the economy. To move forward, Mexico needs investment capital and a global vision that recognizes the potential of Industry 5.0 to transform the medical devices sector and increase its competitiveness. However, there are also challenges related to incentives for companies to develop new technologies, particularly when public health clients continue to use older technology.

northern part of the country that have been early adopters of advanced technologies, including collaborative robots, have been able to maintain productivity and even grow amid the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the potential of Industry 5.0 to fortify Mexico’s global economic competitiveness.

The development of Industry 5.0 and the adoption of advanced technologies in the medical devices sector require a workforce that is trained and skilled in digital and technological fields. As Mexico seeks to become a global competitor in the industry, it is essential to bridge the educational gap and provide opportunities to ensure the workforce is well-equipped to use the latest technologies and increase innovation in the sector, said Ortiz. This will not only benefit the industry but also provide more opportunities for employees to access better-paying digital jobs.

Despite these challenges, there is evidence that the development of new technologies has received a significant boost in Mexico, with greater availability and accessibility of technology leading to increased adoption across industries. Additionally, recent legislation, such as n OM 241, which addresses issues such as software and greater legislative language flexibility, is a step towards making it easier for companies to adopt new technologies. Companies in the

Mexico’s medical device industry is poised to undergo a significant transformation as it shifts from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, a revolution that prioritizes the well-being of people. While this transition presents unique challenges, including regulatory issues and a need for greater understanding and flexibility from authorities, it also provides a valuable opportunity for the country to bolster its competitiveness on the global stage. By providing the necessary legislative support, investment capital and skilled talent, Mexico can establish itself as a leading competitor in the development and innovation of medical devices.

MEDICAL DEVICES PLAY KEY ROLE IN THE EVOLUTION OF HEALTHCARE

As the healthcare system evolves with digitalization and new technologies, the role of medical devices also changes. Manufacturers are developing devices that can complement traditional healthcare services through virtual care and other home-based solutions. However, to fully capitalize on these tools, technology has to become a priority within healthcare budgets in the public and private sectors.

Medical devices are transforming the way healthcare is being delivered, allowing for the creation of devices that support patients in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. These devices are expected to gain even more importance in modern healthcare. Medical devices are “a vital element and will enable a quantum leap in the personal and general health sector,” says Gervasio Videla, Co- founder and CeO,

“The industry has long struggled with issues related to regulation and lack of understanding and flexibility from authorities, which can hinder the adoption of new technologies”

Ingrid Ortiz Lawyer | OLIVARES

ellie Care. However, their main challenges include their adoption by the healthcare sector, which must balance accessibility, quality and costs.

Medical devices are becoming essential to elevate the medical service that can be provided through the internet by allowing patients and doctors to connect remotely. Some of these devices even allow for remote patient monitoring, such as wearable sensors, or remote rehabilitation, such as exoskeletons.

The growing adoption of Big Data and AI has the potential to completely transform the health sector, says Maria Salido, CeO, Social Diabetes. for example, the combination of wearables and AI could enable the detection of diseases before symptoms even appear. At this point, digital technologies have only digitized the procedures that health professionals already do but in the future the technology will have a much larger role in healthcare.

AI and ML are becoming increasingly decisive in medical devices and in the future most involved in the provision of healthcare services will use these technologies, says p atrick Devlyn, p resident of the Health Commission, CC e The use of AI presents an unbeatable opportunity to drive social inclusion and close social and economic gaps, adds Devlyn. All devices that nurture these dynamic ecosystem platforms should be seen as part of an integral open system, and the adoption of these technologies should be the basis from which the healthcare system should start , he adds.

Medical devices can also improve care for specific conditions and aging. for example, senior care platform e llie Care leverages smart watches to provide monitoring services to those over 65 years old. The platform uses smart watches as they are the device with the highest adoption, are not stigmatized and are simple to use.

Medical devices are expected to become more intelligent as they offer real-time data, allowing people to have more control over their health. The progress in the medical device sector will come hand in hand with the evolution of telemedicine, which continues to gain popularity as more users are satisfied with this technology.

While innovation will continue advancing this industry, medical devices have to become a priority in all health budgets to increase accessibility. “Access to good quality, affordable and appropriate health products is indispensable to advance universal health coverage, address health emergencies and promote healthier populations,” says WHO.

The application of innovative technology in medical devices can significantly impact patient care. Thus, medical devices have an obligation to be the innovative arm of the healthcare sector, as they have the ability to provide quality care to patients across all stages, says Jorge Daniel Alarcón, Medical Devices Director, CA n I fA r MA. There is, however, an important lack of awareness about the advantages these new technologies bring, so all actors must work together to spread the world about the added value this technology brings to healthcare.

It is important to ensure that every medical device and healthcare input follows the principles of quality, safety and efficacy. So medical devices benefit the patient, it is key for clinical care protocols to adhere to international standards. While Mexico has one of the most robust standards in the regulation of good manufacturing practices for medical equipment, the country ranks 46th in consumption of medical equipment, according to Alarcón.

Although there is a need to keep pace with technological innovations, it is essential that regulations ensure that these policies are correctly analyzed to take full advantage of the potential benefits of medical devices. One significant challenge is the ease of

access to data, as different medical devices ecosystems make it difficult for healthcare professionals to access the full capabilities of the equipment.

To fully capitalize on the potential of this technology within healthcare, the system must process a massive level of information, says Vanessa Ballarte, e xecutive Director of Corporate Strategy and Digital Health for Latin America, Omron. f rom the perspective of medical equipment manufacturers, there will be three key points for this transformation: equipment with connectivity to transmit this information, portability and continuous use of this equipment and the use of clinically validated equipment, she adds.

CYBERSECURITY IN MEDICAL DEVICES MUST BE A PRIORITY

By making devices smarter, they become targets of cyberattacks. In healthcare, this trend can place individuals and systems at risk, urgently calling for the implementation of strategies to pro tect data.

“The healthcare environment is complex and manufacturers, hospitals and facilities must work together to manage cybersecurity risks,” says the f DA.

Medical devices are an essential part of the digital health ecosystem. But the more connected they are, the more vulnerable they are to cyberattacks. The health sector is experiencing an exhaustive use of technology that has often made it a victim of extortion, leading it to alter its operations in response to cyberattacks. These threats make it essential to safeguard privacy and implement

protection strategies, explains r ommel García, p artner of Cyber Secur ity, K p MG.

“What is related to the security of health information is very different from what is being done in other areas because in addition to protecting data, we are protecting people’s lives,” says r omeo Sánchez, Vice p resident of e ngineering, ecaresoft.

Cyberattacks against health facilities have become a profitable business due to the value of health data. However, in Mexico, the health sector is lagging behind in terms of cybersecurity, as reported by Dräger. Many barriers stand in the way of an updated cybersecurity strategy. f or example, experts agree that it is not an easy task to convince decision makers to invest in cybersecurity, even at hospitals. “ normally, patients approach us after they have already experienced a cyberattack,” says García.

n onetheless, if cybersecurity is not prioritized, cyberattacks to medical devices can generate a loss of privacy, alter the device’s function and cause a denial of intended service or therapy, reports the Australian Government. Also, a cyberattack to a medical device can become a window of opportunity two attack other areas of an organization’s network. “Today, there is no way to deal only with the cybersecurity of a specific medical equipment because everything is interconnected. Cybersecurity

has to be recognized as something integral,” says Claudio Baumann, Director LATAM, AKAMAI. Also, when a cyberattack occurs, an institution’s reputation is damaged, he explains.

for these reasons, it is essential to ensure medical equipment is protected against cyberattacks, especially as both software and hardware evolve, says CA n I fA r MA. Cybersecurity strategies in health services require an approach that guarantees the optimal functionality of devices to ensure the safety of both patients and health professionals. “This type of data is important because all the medical history could be exposed. In addition, the personal data of health professionals are also at risk,” says Marco Antonio Quezada, CIO State Telehealth Unit, Servicios de Salud de Durango.

When designing a new product, medical device manufacturers must consider many principles, including secure communications, data protection, device integrity, user authentication, software maintenance, physical access and reliability and availability, according to IMD rf. Additionally, it is important to identify the enterprise’s medical devices, develop a mitigation plan, reduce the likelihood of a compromise, apply user management, properly understand connections and periodically review the state of medical devices, suggests

the n HS. It is also important to work on awareness and train medical personnel in cybersecurity, as a human error can jeopardize data.

A strong legal framework can also help the sector to ensure the protection of data and medical equipment. f or example, in Mexico, the federal Law on the p rotection of p ersonal Data in p ossessed by

Individuals supports policies that protect privacy, forcing companies to look at cybersecurity from a different pe rspective.

Despite implementing the best strategies, experts agree that there is no way to completely avoid cyberattacks. “Organizations must be resilient to these attacks because they cannot be avoided, they are sure to happen,” says Sánchez.

COLLABORATION WILL BE CRUCIAL TO UNVEIL THE POTENTIAL O F BIG DATA

The integration of big data in healthcare has the potential to revolutionize the way medical care is provided, but it requires collaboration among providers and regulatory frameworks to maximize its impact, agree experts.

“Big data has the potential to transform the healthcare sector in numerous ways, from improving patient outcomes to driving down costs. The abundance of health-related data generated by electronic medical records, wearable devices and health apps can provide valuable information on disease trends, treatment effectiveness and patient behavior,” says e unice Vargas, p rofessor and researcher, Department of engineering, Architecture and Design, UABC.

In the healthcare sector, data has always played a crucial role in providing better

patient care. With the advent of big data, the potential impact on healthcare has been tremendous. The ability to collect, store and analyze vast amounts of data from various sources has opened up new opportunities for research, diagnosis and treatment. However, Mexico lags behind other countries in the implementation of big data, says Bruno Valera, founder and CeO, Medikit.

“Mexico is not yet ready for Big Data in healthcare. While several companies have implemented electronic records for years, most doctors in Mexico have not done so. Before moving forward, we should go back and address the challenges associated with data privacy, security and regulation,” says Valera.

Managing healthcare data is challenging and requires clear legal frameworks.

According to Barbara Barry, Collaborative Scientist at the Division of Healthcare Delivery r esearch, Mayo Clinic, best practices often take years to be implemented and. An alternative to close the gap is the use of a learning health system in which knowledge generation processes are embedded in daily practices to improve healthcare, according to the Agency for Healthcare r esearch and Quality. “This model has a person-centered care, either for the patient or the physician. The ultimate goal is to predict health issues earlier and intervene earlier to provide better care,” says Barry.

“Mexico is not yet ready for Big Data in healthcare. While several companies have implemented electronic records for years, most doctors in Mexico have not done so. Before moving forward, we should go back and address the challenges associated with data privacy, security and regulation”

Bruno Valera CEO and Founder | Medikit

security concerns are addressed and that healthcare organizations work together to develop data-sharing standards that enable seamless interoperability,” says Vargas.

e xperts agree that achieving vertical integration in healthcare is a key challenge in leveraging big data for improved health outcomes. Vertical integration refers to the coordination of all stages of the healthcare process, from prevention to treatment and follow-up. This requires collaboration among healthcare providers, including hospitals, clinics and the public sector, to ensure that patient data is seamlessly shared and analyzed to improve patient outcomes. The key to make vertical integration a reality is collaboration between health players, says Valera: “If there is a will, there is a way. The technology to create this collaboration is alre ady here.”

By analyzing data, healthcare professionals can gain insights into patient behavior, risk factors and potential health issues. One of the key advantages of big data in healthcare is its ability to improve diagnosis and treatment. By analyzing large amounts of data, healthcare professionals can identify patterns and trends that may not be immediately apparent.

Another area where big data has the potential to make a significant impact is in clinical trials, which are an essential part of the drug development process but can be time-consuming and costly. By using big data to identify potential patients for clinical trials, researchers can significantly reduce the time and cost involved in the process.

“By leveraging vast amounts of data, healthcare organizations can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs and develop new treatments. However, it is important to ensure that privacy and

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is another technology that has the potential to transform healthcare. IoMT refers to the use of connected devices, such as wearables, sensors and mobile apps, to collect patient data in real-time. This data can then be analyzed to identify trends and patterns that can be used to prevent or treat health conditions.

“The IoMT is a powerful tool that healthcare providers can use to implement a databased strategy for health prevention,” says Vargas. By remotely monitoring patients’ health, providing personalized health coaching, detecting disease outbreaks early, analyzing data in real-time and managing medication smartly, healthcare providers can intervene early and prevent conditions from worsening, she adds. The IoMT generates vast amounts of data that can be analyzed to identify trends and patterns that may be indicative of a particular health condition. “By leveraging the IoMT, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs and transform the healthcare industry,” says Vargas.