Veracruz reports high welfare program success amid health service audit findings

Veracruz is facing contrasting reports regarding the management of public resources and social programs. On one hand, Juan Javier Gómez Cazarín, the delegate for the Secretariat of Welfare in Veracruz, reported that the state has achieved high national rankings in the implementation of welfare programs. He noted that over 2.5 million people receive social support and approximately 350,000 students are enrolled in the Rita Cetina scholarship program.

On the other hand, the Superior Auditor of the Federation (ASF) has identified alleged irregularities exceeding 660 million pesos within the Veracruz Health Services (SESVER). The audit, covering the end of the previous administration, found that approximately 262 million pesos for private security services lacked sufficient documentation, such as logs or attendance lists. Additionally, roughly 400 million pesos allocated for hospital disinfection and cleaning services lacked evidence of work performed or proof of supply acquisition. The ASF noted a significant disparity in spending, as SESVER reportedly only documented approximately 25 million pesos for medicine procurement.