Mendizabal-Espinosa, Rosa Maria; Ramírez, Viviana; (2025) Complexities of the charitable and philanthropic landscape within Mexico's children's hospitals. Medical Humanities 10.1136/medhum-2025-013229. (In press).

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Abstract

The historical origins of charitable support in Mexico are deeply intertwined with the colonial era, during which religious orders established hospitals to provide care to indigenous populations and Spanish settlers. Indigenous communities were often recipients of Christian charity and paternalistic protection, characterized as "defenseless children" necessitating guidance and care. This laid the foundation for the active involvement of the Catholic Church in healthcare and charitable activities. The establishment of Mexico's first children's hospital took place in 1866 under the supervision of the General Council of Beneficence, with assistance of philanthropic individuals. Subsequent developments were often supported by Catholic nuns who dedicated themselves to providing care for children. These children's hospitals were established in parallel with children's homes, with the overarching objective of catering to the most destitute. Education played a central role, and affluent members of society, often the wives of doctors and politicians, volunteered their time and resources to raise funds and support charitable activities associated with these hospitals. The concept of exceptionalism in children's hospitals evolved against this backdrop. To date, healthcare system in Mexico is provided through a mix of public, social security and private sector, with much broader philanthropic efforts underpinning today’s provision of neonatal and paediatric care. At present, more than 40 million children live in poverty in Mexico, with the majority of those living in extreme poverty are of indigenous ethnicity. This article explores the complexities of the charitable and philanthropic landscape within Mexico's children's hospitals within this context. It reviews potential tensions that can arise due to ethnic, social, and gender-based factors in the provision of care within public children's hospitals. These tensions may stem from historical inequalities, cultural biases, and differing perspectives on healthcare. By examining these dynamics, the article contributes to a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the charitable and healthcare sectors in Mexico.

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