Mexico mulls new 200-bed hospital in Ensenada

Mexico's social security institute IMSS is considering the construction of a new 216-bed general hospital in the city of Ensenada, Baja California state, according to local media.

In February, the IMSS will launch a series of six pre-investment studies to determine the feasibility of the project by December. The finance ministry has already granted it a budget of 14.6mn pesos (US$750,000) to conduct the studies, according to its investment portfolio. 

Although the municipality already has one general hospital, the facility's 113-bed capacity is not enough for the city population, IMSS said in its request for funds. Ensenada was estimated to have a population of over 440,000 in 2000.

The studies to be completed this year include the conceptual designs and four engineering assessments. 

On January 11, IMSS director Zoé Robledo and Baja California governor Marina del Pilar Ávila toured the area where the agency is hoping to build the hospital, newspaper Mexico Diario posted on its Twitter account.