Next Wednesday, October 14, employees of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) will participate in a consultation to learn workers' opinions about the 6.8% salary increase, composed of 2.9% in tabular salary and 3.9% in benefits, approved by the National Congress of the National Union of Social Security Workers (SNTSS), headed by Rafael Olivos Hernández. The Institute's general director, Zoé Robledo, stated that the demonstrations by medical staff will be respected, even though he urged them not to affect third parties, to do so peacefully, and to keep access to clinics and hospitals free, specifically those for ambulances and emergencies. Through a video posted on social media, he added that this consultation to learn workers' opinions on the salary increase will be respected. "To those who do not agree with the proposed salary increase of 6.8 percent, composed of 2.9 percent in tabular salary and 3.9 percent in benefits, which has also already been approved by the union's congress: we respect your decision to hold a consultation on that increase next October 14. Other matters, such as the return of the Retirement and Pensions Regime (RJP), require changes to the law that are not decisions that correspond to the institute. We believe in dialogue and we believe in democracy," he commented. The official acknowledged that the IMSS faces demographic, epidemiological, financial, and operational challenges. Because of this, he said, addressing them requires investment, oversight, dialogue, and the joint work of those who make up the Institute. Since last Thursday, after a meeting at the Ministry of the Interior (Segob), health personnel have maintained blockades on Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, and in other states they have demonstrated at medical units. Despite this, Robledo assured that all hospitals are providing service, and from October 2 to 9, at the IMSS 5,745 babies were born, 30,583 surgeries were performed, 662,000 specialty consultations and 2 million Family Medicine consultations were provided. He emphasized that this last operation is possible thanks to the work of 511,000 people, and highlighted that since 2019, insured employees went from 20 to nearly 23 million; pensioners, from 4.3 to 6.3 million; and insured persons' mothers and fathers, from 4.4 to 5.9 million. Meanwhile, seven out of ten older adults in the country receive care from Social Security. "This growth does not mean that all problems are solved. Higher demand and the increase in chronic diseases continue to generate saturation, waiting times, and challenges in the supply of medications," he acknowledged, stating that the IMSS fills prescriptions for 769,000 people daily, with an average supply rate of 94%. He called on the population to use the platform www.recetacompleta.gob.mx and the phone number 800 953 2218 to file a report in case of unfilled prescriptions. You may be interested in: IMSS workers demand supplies at hospitals; Zoé Robledo reports start of "autopsy" of files on baby deaths in Jalisco and Durango, says no one is being blamed; Sheinbaum begins oversight tour of IMSS-Bienestar, visits clinic and hospital in Hidalgo. Join our channel! EL UNIVERSAL is now on WhatsApp! From your mobile device, find out the day's most relevant news, opinion articles, entertainment, trends, and more. dft