MEXICALI.- Baja Californian Governor, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda spoke about the importance of bringing medical care to all corners of the state, so that the most vulnerable groups can have an easier access to healthcare. At the same time, she also mentioned strategies that her administration is carrying out to guarantee healthcare as a right in the Baja Californian population at large.

During the twentieth edition of Marina del Pilar’s morning press conference in Mexicali, the governor explained that one of her administration’s priorities is to bolster the well-being of people across all walks of life so that everyone can have the opportunity to develop properly.

In this respect and accompanied by the Secretary of Health, José Adrián Medina Amarillas, and the head of the State Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COEPRIS), Erwin Areizaga Uribe, she stated that this well-being will only happen if people’s mental and physical health is protected, while always taking into account the social factor for both cases.

She emphasized that the Covid-19 pandemic has meant not only one of humanity’s greatest challenges in the last few decades, but has also motivated the general public to value and understand the importance of health in a deeper way.

Regarding this, both the Governor and Secretary Medina Amarillas spoke about the Mobile Health Centers, a program that is a response to the lack of medical infrastructure in places such as Valle de Mexicali, San Felipe, Tijuana’s east zone, southern Ensenada, and San Quintin, all places where the Secretariat of Health’s mobile units have arrived.

"Put yourselves in the shoes of an elderly indigenous woman that lives in a remote community in San Quintin Valley, that has diabetes and hypertension, that has mobility problems and must travel by public transportation to a health center that is more than 50 kilometers away from her home. We have to understand how she feels and bring the medical care to her", Governor Marina del Pilar said.

Because of this, she revealed that currently there are two health caravans in Baja California with 12 units each. Here one can get a general checkup, lab services, X-rays, pelvic and renal ultrasounds, mammograms, electrocardiograms, densitometry, optometry, audiology, and psychology.

The goal, stated Medina Amarillas, is to detect as early as possible conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, tuberculosis, and respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases, so that all people can receive proper medical care, one of the most important commitments of this state administration.

Marina del Pilar also said that they are also working so that all of Baja California’s health centers are working at their fullest capacity which is why there is a close coordination with the Government of Mexico. An example of this is that 108 health centers are being restored in coordination with INSABI.

We are not only treating the material needs, but we are also taking care that we do not lack staff in health centers. This is why we are carrying out a reengineering of human resources so that the staff can concentrate on their health center and we can fill the missing positions through contracts granted by INSABI.

Specifically, she revealed that work is being done at the Community Hospital of San Felipe where its infrastructure is being restored, medical equipment is being upgraded, and enough staff is being hired so that the medical hospital can function. This hospital will give medical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week in issues such as general surgery, gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, emergencies, and orthopedics.

Another thing she spoke about was the Outpatient Oncological Center of Tijuana that was added to Tijuana’s General Hospital’s (HGT) space. This center will bring important relief to the oncological units of the state.

"We are taking public healthcare to the most remote corners of this state, conscious that it is essential to give comprehensive healthcare to all with warmth, empathy, and humanity", Marina del Pilar added.

Marina del Pilar accompanies Miguel Torruco in his BC tour

At the same time, and as part of her Wednesday schedule, Marina del Pilar led a tour through the La Chinesca tourist area along with Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués.

The Baja Californian Governor recognized the willingness of the Mexican Government, and in particular of Secretary Torruco, of boosting the state’s tourism, since it is one of the activities that will be focused on in order to reactivate Baja California’s economy.

It should be noted that the federal official highlighted the potential of La Chinesca to become a national tourist destination in the next few years, since it represents a space of cultural synergy that can be attractive to national and foreign visitors.

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