The National Center for Technological Excellence in Health (CENETEC), published a document that compiles the legal instruments applicable to the practice of telehealth in Mexico.
Currently in Mexico there are no specific regulations on telehealth and its exercise. CENETEC explains that telehealth must adhere to the applicable regulations like any other activity in the field of health.
Among the legal instruments that regulate aspects of the use of telehealth and its modalities, it is mainly the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States. Article 4 mentions that every person has the right to health protection and that the law will establish a health system for well-being.
On the other hand, Article 6 explains that the State will guarantee the right of access to information and communication technologies (ICT), in the same way with broadcasting, telecommunications and Internet services. And finally, Article 16 mentions that every person has the right to the protection of their personal data, access, rectification and cancellation of the same.
The General Health Law (LGS) follows from the Political Constitution. This explains that the National Health System (SNS) includes federal and local public entities, as well as natural and legal persons providing services.
Article 6 mentions as one of the objectives of the SNS, the promotion of health services based on ICT, to expand coverage and improve the quality of health care. Similarly, Article 7 seeks to promote the incorporation, use and exploitation of ICTs in health services.
CENETEC explains that technology should be considered only as a tool to strengthen the needs and challenges faced by health services. In addition, three aspects must be taken into account: Patient safety; Health professional safety; and Security in the transmission of information.
Telehealth seeks to promote access to health services in remote areas, improve organizational capacity and achieve greater efficiency in care processes. CENETEC recognizes the need for a specific regulation for the correct use of the different modalities of telehealth. Above all, after, in 2020, the use of ICT in health was extremely important due to the pandemic, to continue with medical care and monitoring of infected patients.
Consult the document Certificate of Legal Instruments applicable to the practice of Telehealth in Mexico: https://cenetec-difusion.com/observatoriotelesalud/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Cedula_InstrumentosJuridicos_Telesalud_Mx-v3.0.pdf
