Mission Mexico

After his controversial election in 2006, President Felipe Calderon has continued the free-trade policy of his predecessors. Suspected of electoral fraud, the party in power has to deal with the growing distrust of the population. Many popular insurgencies, as well as the resurgence of autonomy in the indigenous communities, highlight the weakness of the Mexican democratic system. In terms of the economy, Mexico faces significant discrepancies between the concentration of wealth and poverty. This pushes the population towards clandestine emigration to the United States.

Project 1 :

Promoting the right to health of the indigenous population - Chiapas

Activities :

MdM France has been working in Mexico since 1998. The current programme aims to improve the health of the indigenous population. With the support of the communities, MdM is training health promoters and is setting up four micro-clinics to enable access to healthcare for this population. More than 500 promoters are in charge of the health of their communities and are working with three reference microclinics.

Outlook :

The implementation of a health system managed by the indigenous communities will enable these communities to develop their autonomy. Real negotiations between the government and the Zapatiste movement in the south of Chiapas should enable lasting solutions to be found in relation to looking after the communities’ health.

Project 2 :

Right to health for migrants - Tijuana and Mexicali

Activities :

MdM aims to improve access to healthcare and the respect of the right to health for migrant populations in Tijuana and Mexicali. The objectives are:

• to facilitate treatment for the migrant populations;
• to prevent transmission of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections;
• to promote and encourage the respect of the right to health for migrant populations on the northern border.

Outlook :

The programme will continue along the same lines until it ends in summer 2008.

Project 3 :

Emergency aid to flood victims - Tabasco State

Activities :

Following the torrential rains that hit Tabasco State, MdM launched an aid programme for the affected population. The mobile medical team visited the numerous communities in Platano y Cacao, Nacaruja and Villahermosa. The main activities carried out by MdM were:

• introducing a mobile medical brigade to intervene in the affected areas;
• raising awareness on health issues;
• provision of medicines to the Tabasco Health Secretariat;
• regular logistical support during the distribution campaigns, organised by the parishes in the region;
• identification and prevention of potential epidemic illnesses.

Outlook :

At the closure of the programme, most of the health services had been re-established, and were providing a service equivalent to the service before the floods.

August 2008