Innovation

“Every person has the right to receive healthcare”, states the 4th article of the Mexican constitution. Is this really a fact? Does this constitutional right apply equally to 100% of the people in México? These questions have been asked for decades. The story we want to tell today is a company that is trying to facilitate access to high quality healthcare. They are creating and expanding the network of healthcare professionals, from different fields and locations, to geographically reach more people. Their objective is to provide quality healthcare at a competitive cost. WellMedic’s strength consists of a “full-service” approach that empowers medical professionals to provide their services to more people by providing them with all the necessary infrastructure (medic centers) and connectivity. With this approach healthcare professional can focus on more patients.

In accordance with the “Plan Nacional de Salud2019 – 2024.” (national healthcare plan) its main premise is to enforce the 4th constitutional article in Mexico. It states: Every Mexican, regardless of their social condition, should have access to integrated healthcare services. “Que todos los mexicanos, independientemente de su condición laboral o socioeconómica tengan acceso a los servicios integrales de salud”.Plan Nacional de Salud 2019 – 2024.

In terms of health care accessibility there are two main problems WellMedic tries to tackle with its new innovative approach. They are:

1. Overloaded health care centers and

2. Lack of healthcare professionals

WellMedic has invested, though an alliance with Walgreens, which is one of the biggest healthcare providers in the world, in creating Ambulant Healthcare Centers. These centers will target isolated communities where access to health care services is not readily available.

In México, there are 2.4 medics for every 1000 inhabitants. This is almost half of what countries like Switzerland, Norway or Austria have, which is 2.8 nursing personnel for every 1000 inhabitants and one ninth of what Switzerland has. But the biggest hurdle for article 4th is the inequality of distribution. Not only is there a lack of sufficient medical personnel, but there is also a lack of services distributed equally and graphically to reach all of its citizens.

The role that WellMedic hopes to fulfills is to provide Ambulant Healthcare Centers that empower and extend the existing medical professional capabilities, so that they can reach communities where these essential services is needed but difficult to attain.

Inspiration

While travelling in southern Mexico, Luis Elizondo, CEO of Wellmedic, noticed there was an apparent absence of doctors and accessibility to health care. He was also aware of the problems this created for the people living there. In addition, the Mexican federal government decided to re-design the “supplier network” for public healthcare which was very concentrated and narrowed to a very few suppliers. The new administration published their main pillars, as the “Plan Nacional de Salud 2019 – 2024.” (national healthcare plan) which included the geographic expansion of quality health care. This is where the idea of WellMedic was founded. WellMedic would create a partnership with “Walgreens” to pursue this new business opportunity and fill the huge gap by providing mobile healthcare.

Overall impact

Through the development of mobile health care, the direct impact would be to those who would not ordinarily have access to receive health care services. By addressing this critical need, it direct impacts society as a whole. This innovation can also be applicable in other countries where access to health care is limited.

Business benefit

The company has the potential to grow and expand. It caught the attention and formed a partnership with Walgreens, which is one of the giants in the pharmaceutical industry. Also there is further opportunity for various partnerships because this innovation aligns with one of the Mexican government primary objectives.

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Social and environmental benefit

It is directly aligned with UN goal 3 which is Good health and well-being. Actually, the company’s mission statement is to:

”Create the most innovative medical center in Latin America, where health specialists can carry out their duties in a simple, ethical and practical way”

WellMedic’s beliefs:

• Generate global impact.

• Execution based on ethics.

• Operate with transparency.

• Promote evolution through empathy.

• Develop through investment.

• Innovate to achieve exponential growth.

The company benefits society by making health care more accessible to more communities. This is an example of UN Goal 11. In addition, it provides the opportunity for partnerships with various companies such as Walgreens. This is an example of UN Goal 17.

Interview

Moisés Cespedes, Operations Manager