Patient Dies at Cancun IMSS Hospital Amid Allegations of Negligence and Supply Shortages

Cancun, Quintana Roo — A 31-year-old woman has died at an IMSS (Mexican Social Security Institute) hospital in Cancun, with her family alleging negligence and critical shortages of medical supplies contributed to her death, leaving three children orphaned.

Marleni González Rivero was admitted to the hospital with complications from lupus. According to relatives, doctors identified the need for a procedure to drain and clean her blood due to issues related to her condition, but a specialized catheter required for the treatment was unavailable.

Family members offered to purchase the equipment themselves, but hospital staff reportedly refused, stating it was the hospital’s responsibility to provide it.

The night before her death, González was intubated but suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Her relatives claim the tragedy resulted not only from medical complications but from omissions that could have been prevented with prompt care and adequate resources.

The case has sparked outrage and protests among family and community members, who are demanding that health and judicial authorities thoroughly investigate the circumstances of her death and determine whether institutional negligence occurred.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about supply shortages and medical oversight in Mexico’s public healthcare system, underscoring calls for reforms to ensure patient safety.