Mexico to expand medical and nursing enrollment in public universities

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the Mexican federal government will increase enrollment for medicine and nursing programs at the Universidades para el Bienestar Benito Juárez and the Universidad Nacional Rosario Castellanos. This decision aims to address high student demand and a shortage of medical personnel in states such as Sinaloa and Michoacán.

As part of the strategy to strengthen the public health system, graduates from these institutions are already working within the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE). Students at the Rosario Castellanos University begin hospital practices in their second year and perform social service at these public institutes.

To support this expansion, the government plans to construct new campuses and buildings, including recently announced sites in Tecozautla, Hidalgo, and Umán, Yucatán. The goal is to provide free education close to students' communities so they can eventually serve in their own regions. The Universidad Nacional Rosario Castellanos currently has 120,000 students and aims to reach 240,000 by 2030.