Tuxtepec, Oaxaca – In a landmark move to expand public health access, President Claudia Sheinbaum inaugurated a new General Hospital in San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, Oaxaca, on August 4. This facility is the first hospital built with presidential jet funds, using the 2.3 billion pesos generated from the sale of the former presidential airplane. The hospital will offer 19 medical specialties across 150 beds and is set to serve more than one million people in 109 municipalities of Oaxaca and Veracruz.
hospital built with presidential jet funds
Built in response to long-standing healthcare gaps in the Papaloapan River basin, the new hospital features 25 outpatient clinics, three operating rooms, diagnostic laboratories, and imaging services. President Sheinbaum emphasized that redirecting aircraft sale proceeds aligns with her administration’s commitment to prioritize basic services over luxury. “Every peso must serve the people,” she said during the ceremony, streamed live as part of her daily morning briefing.
Local health officials point out that Tuxtepec has traditionally relied on overcrowded regional hospitals hundreds of kilometers away. Dr. María Elena Ruiz, director of the new facility, explained that this hospital will dramatically cut travel times for rural patients. “We anticipate a significant drop in emergency transfer cases and earlier diagnoses, especially for chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.”
Regional impact and community response
Community leaders in Oaxaca’s Papaloapan region hailed the hospital opening as a milestone. Mayor Guadalupe Jiménez of San Lucas Ojitlán noted that improved medical care will also boost local economies: “Healthier families can work more, study more, and contribute to regional growth.” Vendors and small businesses around the hospital site are already preparing to serve visitors and staff, signaling a broader economic ripple effect.
Governor Salomón Jara Cruz of Oaxaca praised the federal partnership. He announced simultaneous investments in road upgrades to ensure patients from remote areas can reach the hospital year-round. “Better infrastructure and this hospital together will transform healthcare access in southern Mexico,” he commented.
Future outlook for public health
With this hospital now operational, President Sheinbaum revealed plans for a second facility funded by the same jet sale. That hospital will be located in the Veracruz municipality of Cosamaloapan and is expected to open by mid-2026. Together, both hospitals represent a 4.6 billion peso investment directly tied to the sale of the presidential plane.
Health analysts say this model could become a blueprint for future public works. Carlos Martínez, a health economist at the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness, observed: “Reallocating high-value assets to social infrastructure has an immediate impact. If sustained, it can reshape priorities across all levels of government.”
As Mexico continues to address the long tail of healthcare inequality, the inauguration of the hospital built with presidential jet funds marks a clear shift toward tangible social benefits. Officials and residents alike will be watching closely to measure improvements in patient outcomes and overall community well-being.
