IMSS Denies Negligence After Viral Video Shows Patient in Pain at Cancún Hospital

Still from a video showing an elderly man in the emergency room of the IMSS hospital in Cancún, Mexico, complaining of pain.

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Allegations of negligence at the IMSS hospital on Cobá Avenue in Cancún have stirred public outrage after a video showing an elderly man crying out in pain in the emergency room went viral on social media.

The video began circulating yesterday, showing the man in the hospital’s urgent care area. According to unofficial reports, he had arrived on Tuesday seeking emergency treatment for a kidney complication.

“They are letting patients die in the Emergency Room,” wrote the person who shared the video.

Social media users quickly seized on the post to condemn what they called terrible service at the hospital, recounting hours-long waits and mistreatment of patients and families. Many demanded that authorities from the IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute) in Quintana Roo investigate the complaints and guarantee timely medical attention.

In response to the growing backlash, IMSS Quintana Roo issued a statement this morning. The agency said the patient captured in the video received appropriate care on Tuesday based on his consultation reason. “A urinary catheter change was performed without requiring any intervention that would warrant hospitalization,” the statement read.

Officials denied any negligence. “The care was provided according to the assessment and, upon completion of the procedure, the patient returned home with improvement of symptoms,” the IMSS added.

The institute also stressed that its emergency department operates under a triage system, classifying cases to prioritize care according to each patient’s health condition.

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By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx