México D.F., Mexico
– Dr. Esteban Hernández San Román, Director, CENETEC
History and Structure
The National Center for Health Technology Excellence (CENETEC) is a body within the Mexican Ministry of Health established in 2004 in response to the need for reliable and timely information on health technologies by decision and policy makers. Initially, CENETEC focused mainly on medical equipment, but it has widened the scope to include medical devices, drugs and procedures.
CENETEC is conformed by three areas: Medical Equipment Planning, Health Technology Assessment and e-Health. This structure allows for the products of one area to be used by the others, enriching the view of the different actors involved in the processes.
The staff of 16 people is conformed mainly by Physicians and Biomedical Engineers, with more than 10 years experience in Health Technologies. In the case of HTA, we also have the collaboration of an Economist and a Sociologist.
Mission
To contribute to the satisfaction of decisions and policy makers needs on management and assessment of health technology through, direct advise to users and administrators; coordination of efforts from institutions in the health sector; and the generation and dissemination of information.
How CENETEC Works
Assessments at CENETEC are produced in response to questions by the Ministry of Health. We are also advisors to General Council of Health on coverage of health technologies and priority setting. All of our products are written in Spanish though structured abstracts can be produced in English upon request.
Dissemination Activities
We have three main channels for dissemination of our information:
- Our web page: www.cenetec.gob.mx
- A Quarterly publication: Gaceta CENTEC
- Annual Workshop on Health Technology Assessment
Current HTA Projects
- External Hearing Aids program
- Prostate cancer screening
- High intensity focused ultrasound for localized (T1-T2) prostate cancer
- Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
- Clinical, economical, ethical and social considerations related to cochlear implants
Future Plans
CENETEC has been appointed by the MoH to coordinate a program of adaptation of Clinical Practice Guidelines, for the Mexican Public Health Sector.
Agency Information
Country: Mexico
Description of population served: National, focused on Federal Minsitry of Health , the National Council of Health and health services of the Mexican states
Population served (mil): 110
Current HTA budget (mil USD): 0.110
Permanent staff: 4
Consultants: 1
Ongoing TA projects: 3
Contact Information
Director: Dr. Esteban Hernández San Román
Contact person: Verónica Gallegos Rivero
Centro Nacional de Excelencia Tecnológica en Salud
Reforma 450, piso 13
C.P. 06600 México D.F. Mexico
Tel: +52 55 5208 3939
Fax: +52 55 5207 3990
Internet: http://www.cenetec.salud.gob.mx
Email: evaluacion@salud.gob.mx