A Baja California Sur state legislator warned that the public health system in the state is “near collapse” due to federal budget cuts, placing blame on Governor Víctor Castro Cosío for failing to push back against the reductions.
Guadalupe Saldaña Cisneros, a lawmaker from the PAN (National Action Party), singled out Los Cabos as the region under greatest strain. She said the general hospital there lacks beds, medical supplies, and medications to keep pace with the municipality’s surging population.
Los Cabos Hospital Overwhelmed by Population Growth
Los Cabos is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Mexico. Its population boom, driven by tourism development and migration from other Mexican states, has placed enormous pressure on public infrastructure. Saldaña Cisneros said the general hospital serving the area is now overwhelmed, with demand far exceeding its capacity.
The legislator praised frontline medical workers for continuing to provide care under difficult conditions. But she directed sharp criticism at the political alignment between Morena-affiliated governments at the municipal, state, and federal levels, saying there is “no excuse” for the shortages when all three share the same ruling party.
Governor Faulted for Not Fighting Federal Cuts
Saldaña Cisneros argued it is “not normal” to have a governor who does not demand more resources from the federal government. She said Castro Cosío has been passive in the face of budget reductions that directly affect healthcare delivery in the state.
The criticism comes as BCS approaches hurricane season, a period when hospitals and emergency services face additional strain from storm-related injuries and evacuations. A system already short on beds and supplies could face serious challenges if a major storm hits the peninsula.
In 2025, President Claudia Sheinbaum visited Los Cabos and La Paz to announce new infrastructure projects, including an IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute) hospital intended to serve roughly half a million residents in the Los Cabos area. That facility remains under construction, leaving the existing general hospital as the primary public option for now.
Saldaña Cisneros’s remarks were first reported by BCS Noticias.