IMSS provides over half of Mexico's medical residency placements

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) has become a primary driver for medical specialization in Mexico through its partnership with the National Exam for Medical Residency Aspirants (ENARM). In 2025, the IMSS offered 10,000 residency positions, accounting for more than half of the total national supply.

Alva Alejandra Santos Carrillo, head of the IMSS Directorate of Medical Benefits, noted that the institution's educational structure has expanded significantly. While 2001 saw approximately 18,762 applicants and 3,374 selections, the 2025 structure supports nearly 27,000 residents across 389 locations and 70 medical disciplines.

Beyond training, the IMSS maintains a high retention rate, hiring more than 85% of the residents who graduate from its own medical units to ensure continuity of care for its beneficiaries.