Sheinbaum seeks that the SICT intervene in health works

Yesterday, President Claudia Sheinbaum sent to the Chamber of Deputies an initiative to allow the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) to get involved in public works “with high social impact,” especially those belonging to the health sector.

The president proposed adding a fraction to article 36 of the Organic Law of the Federal Public Administration, in such a way that the SICT participates “in the construction, equipment, rehabilitation, reinforcement, reconstruction, replacement, expansion and authorization of public works associated with infrastructure projects, including establishments intended for the provision of health services, in coordination with the three levels of government.”

In the explanatory statement of the proposal that was sent to committees, Sheinbaum pointed out that, although the SICT already has powers to participate in projects in various areas, “it is necessary to strengthen its competency framework in order to provide it with an express attribution, which allows it to participate in public works associated with infrastructure projects, including health establishments.”

He highlighted that among his campaign commitments was “the modernization of hospitals and health centers,” so “it is of general interest to contribute to the consolidation of a health system that guarantees universal access to medical care” with infrastructure.

With the proposed reform, he pointed out, the federal agency “would have the necessary legal mechanisms to participate in the formulation and implementation of infrastructure projects with high social impact, which will contribute to the progressive realization of human rights of a social, cultural, environmental, mobility, education and health nature.”