Mexico city monitoring system during the COVID-19 pandemic: A case-study

Objective

Robust monitoring systems are essential for resilient health systems and effective crisis management. This study examines the design and implementation of a health monitoring system during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico City, highlighting lessons for future crises.

Methods

Using a descriptive case study approach, we triangulated official documents, press conference reviews, and 13 hour interviews with key informants.

Results

At the onset of the pandemic, the Mexico City government established a Health Council, necessitating a system to provide reliable information for hospital capacity management and timely decision-making. The locally developed monitoring system centralized data from multiple sources, estimated and forecasted key indicators, and served as a foundation for communicating pandemic status and guiding policy. The system’s dashboard became a critical tool for intersectoral collaboration to reduce hospital burden and improve decision-making —facilitating coordination among government ministries, non-health sectors, and the general population.

Conclusions

The implementation of Mexico City’s monitoring system demonstrates how a shared framework can incentivize intersectoral collaboration and provides critical insights for strengthening preparedness and resilience in future emergencies. Key lessons for fostering intersectoral collaboration included the importance of strong leadership within a governance structure, consensus on emergency assessment tools, provision of actionable information, and adaptability to partner capacities.

Lay summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mexico City developed a health monitoring system that helped manage hospital capacity and coordinate decisions across different government sectors. This system provided reliable and timely information, making it easier for authorities to act quickly and effectively. The research shows how working together—health authorities, commerce groups, and others—can lead to better outcomes in a crisis. It also highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency. These lessons can help cities be better prepared for future health emergencies, ultimately protecting the wellbeing of the public.