In Washington, D.C.:
Ludi Joseph
Phone: (202) 473 7700
E-mail: ljoseph@ifc.org

Adriana Gomez
Phone: (202) 458 5204
E-mail: agomez@ifc.org


Washington, D.C., June 18, 2009—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is partnering with Centro Médico Puerta de Hierro to bring high-quality and affordable health services to underserved parts of Mexico with a $12 million loan to support the construction of two hospitals.

The hospitals will be built in Colima and Tepic where health services are currently insufficient. Both are secondary cities located in Mexico’s central Pacific Coast region. The Inter-American Development Bank is providing another $12 million loan to help finance the hospitals.

“We are delighted that IFC is helping us bring much-needed health services to underserved cities and look forward to benefiting from IFC’s global expertise in the sector,” said Rodolfo Acosta, General Director, Centro Médico Puerta de Hierro.

The state-of-the-art hospitals will have 40 beds each and provide specialized services such as cardiovascular and neurological diagnosis, treatment, and surgery to patients including those who are publicly insured. Currently, patients who need health care must travel to larger cities at least two hours away, with increased health risks and added expenses associated with travel.

Centro Médico has signed agreements with Universidad de Guadalajara and Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey to allow medical students from these institutions to conduct research and receive training.

In 2005, IFC provided a $14.5 million loan for Centro Médico’s original ambulatory surgery center and 86-bed hospital in Guadalajara. In 2008, IFC provided a second loan of $18 million for a 57-bed hospital in Guadalajara, which will open in June 2009.

Guy Ellena, IFC Director for Health and Education, said, “We value our long-term partnership with Centro Médico and its commitment to raising standards, improving quality, and reducing costs. This project fits IFC’s strategy to strengthen health infrastructure and increase access to health services in underdeveloped parts of Mexico.”

IFC’s strategy in Mexico focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector, deepening the financial sector, supporting infrastructure development and investments in areas newly opened to private-sector participation. IFC also promotes environmental sustainability, social development, and corporate governance. Since Mexico became an IFC member in 1956, IFC has provided more than $6 billion to support the country’s private sector.

About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing private capital, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $16.2 billion in fiscal 2008, a 34 percent increase over the previous year. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

About Centro Médico Puerta de Hierro
Centro Médico Puerta de Hierro is a highly specialized medical center equal in standards to any U.S. hospital. Offering Mexico’s best medical attention and personalized care, it was established in 2004 with a medical complex in the Zapópan neighborhood of Guadalajara. The complex opened in 2006 and consists of an ambulatory surgery center and an 86-bed general tertiary care hospital. For more information, visit www.cmpdh.com.