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IMSS Marks 95 Years of Mexico’s Jan. 6 Nurses Tradition, Cites 148,000-Strong Workforce

Officials shifted the national observance to 12 May to align with the global date.

Overview

  • IMSS highlighted the 1931 origin of the Jan. 6 celebration, established by Dr. José Castro Villagrana, who likened nurses’ work to a Three Kings Day gift.
  • Director Zoé Robledo reported that IMSS employs more than 148,000 nurses, positioning the institute as the country’s largest nursing employer.
  • Recent institutional reforms include the creation of over 10,000 new positions, 6,150 scholarships, and the reclassification of about 20,000 roles into the Enfermera General Clínica category between 2019 and 2024.
  • The Health Ministry’s move to make 12 May the official national date created a dual observance in practice, which news outlets note has caused public confusion.
  • Labor data for early 2025 show wide pay dispersion, significant informality for some roles, and a gender pay gap, with specialist nurses averaging about 18,700 pesos monthly and technical or auxiliary roles near 8,200.