Mission Mexico

Social inequalitiies persist in Mexico despite good economic health and the fact that this country is a real commercial power. In the south, Hurricanes Stan and Wilma hit the regions hard where the marginalised Indian populations already live in situations of extreme poverty. In the north, the linea, which many prospective illegal emigrants to the United States cross each day, remains a very precarious at-risk area.

Improving the community health system

Chiapas Region

Activities:

In Chiapas region, MdM's current programme (it has been working in Mexico since 1998) aims to improve the health of the Tzotzil population. With community support, MdM is working to train health promoters and to set up four micro-clinics to allow these populations to have access to healthcare. More than 500 promoters who are responsible for the health of their communities organise their work around three microclinics.

Outlook:

Setting up a self-managed health system provides the promise of greater autonomy for the Indians, whereas genuine negotiations between the government and the Zapatista movement in the south of Chiapas would enable more lasting solutions for managing their health to be found.

Access to healthcare for the migrant population

Tijuana, Mexicali

Activities:

MdM is implementing a project aimed at improving access to healthcare and respecting the right to health of migrant populations on Mexico's northern border in the towns of Tijuana and Mexicali.It has the following objectives:

• facilitating healthcare for the migrant populations in Tijuana and Mexicali;
• preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS/STIs amongst the migrant population;
• promoting and encouraging the respect of the right to health of the migrant populations on the northern border.

Outlook:

The project will be continued under the same terms in 2006.

Hurricane emergency

Chiapas (Escuintla, Mapastepec, Huixtla and Tapachula)

Activities:

Hurricane Stan hit southern Mexico on 4 October. The ensuing floods, rivers breaking their banks and landslides caused a lot of damage in Chiapas. After evaluating the affected areas between 7 and 13 October and making contact with the health authorities, the work focused on the town of Escuintla, where 84% of the population were affected by the hurricane.
The activities have involved:

• re-establishing access to healthcare for the affected populations of the Sierra Madre Mediana and Alta of Escuintla;
• treatment of and surveillance of potential epidemics.

Outlook:

The emergency medical treatment programme ended in December 2005.

July 2006