Quintana Roo Governor Signs $270M Medical Nearshoring Deal for Cancun

Governor Mara Lezama and Dr. Roberto Cervera sign a memorandum of understanding for a medical center in Cancun during a ceremony in Orlando, Florida.

Orlando, Florida — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mayan Healthcare Design, an international medical group, to develop a Premier Medical Destination Center (PMDC) in Cancun’s Financial and Technological District, marking the first major medical nearshoring project in southern Mexico.

The agreement, finalized during Lezama’s visit to Orlando, also includes a second memorandum to establish the headquarters of Mission Brain in Cancun, an international foundation dedicated to advanced neurosurgery. Dr. Roberto Cervera, co-president of Mission Brain’s board and representative of the medical group, signed both documents.

The PMDC project is estimated at $270 million and is expected to boost medical tourism while creating a new economic cluster built around specialized hospitals, medical device companies, pharmaceuticals, laboratories, research centers and health-sector supply chains, state officials said.

“Today we have this signing, this memorandum of understanding, with a very significant investment, estimated at $270 million, and we want to keep growing so that this hub becomes a success in the short, medium and long term,” Lezama said.

“This translates into shared prosperity, job creation, but well-paid jobs, world-class services and a very significant economic impact,” she added.

The project will include areas such as neurosurgery, advanced nursing, biomedical engineering, research, clinical nutrition and health technologies, positioning Cancun as an international hub for medical tourism and high-specialty care.

Mission Brain, founded by Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, a globally recognized leader in medical research, runs care, research and training programs in more than 25 countries. Its Cancun headquarters will support scientific research, artificial intelligence, talent development and technology transfer, as well as medical care for vulnerable populations.

The agreement represents a strategic step toward establishing Quintana Roo as a health innovation hub by bringing together government, international organizations and medical specialists, officials said.

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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