[A brief historical account of IMSS hospital in Orizaba, Veracruz].

In 1947, Orizaba City was chosen, due its political, economic and labor importance, for the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) to establish its health service in Veracruz State. At the beginning, hospital care was rented out at the Hospital Civil "Ignacio de la Llave." In 1959 a hospital was specifically constructed and had 280 beds. In 1973 a earthquake partially destroyed the hospital building and the medical services were almost discontinued. In 1975 it was rebuilt, and was renamed "Ignacio García Téllez," who had been a founder member of IMSS. At the beginning the main causes of hospital admissions were infectious diseases and gynecologic and obstetric problems; at present the challenges are the chronic diseases and accidents.