(Newswire.net — April 16, 2015) — American doctors have taken it upon themselves to offer free medical services to men, women and children in Mexico. There are many in need of healthcare and fortunately Comunidad Para Baja California is in Northern Mexico, not only providing needed healthcare, but offering a range of services that in combination are expected to raise the level of self-sufficiency for the people being served.
Indigenous tribal people in Northern Mexico are offered medical assistance, educational scholarships and housing services. The amalgam of services are organized through Comunidad, and whenever and wherever possible local resources are utilized and incorporated. Comunidad works with the tribal councils, and according to their own philosophy, they always maintain respect for the local people’s dignity, traditions and culture.
Partnerships with Lasting Commitment
Ensenada is not the only location. There are currently 10 tribal communities in Baja, Arizona and Southern California that they work with and partner with. As a matter of necessity, and good business practice, partners include the US, Mexico and of course, the tribal communities. The Mexican Department of Health, Department of Human Services, a local orphanage, Casa Hogar and an alliance of native communities are partners on the Mexican side of the border.
US partners include the Rotary Club of San Jose North and The 1,000 Smiles Foundation. The 1,000 Smiles is also a non-profit and shares their dental clinic with Comunidad several times each year. The Rotary Club has made many trips to Mexican tribal communities, over the course of years, and contributed hands-on, in the building of health centers and even an Ensenada Rotary Club.
What appears incredibly effective and forward-thinking is the focus on substantive programs that can offer sustainability. While adding needed infrastructure and integrating all program planning, in conjunction with tribal communities, they are virtually guaranteed community commitment in the long run. Not only do the communities specify what projects are needed, they also define the priorities.
The Beca scholarship program offers students the opportunity to complete their middle and secondary school educations and even university. The infrastructure program is perhaps the most significant, already having partnered and built multiple health centers throughout northern Mexico.
Comparative Helping hands
The Flying Doctors offer Mexican, South American, Central American and California communities medical, dental and optometric services, education to enhance the prospects for those in need. Mankato Doctors for People provides free medical services in Central America and rural Mexico. Health Frontiers in Tijuana, young doctors from American and Mexican medical schools join together and offer free medical services in a small 2nd floor location just blocks from the US border.
These are just a few of the non-profit free medical services available in Baja but Comunidad in Ensenada has built a different, unique set of partnerships with limited resources and few dollars. One at a time, they have committed themselves and their partners, including American doctors, to implement successful, sustainable programs that ultimately pay for themselves through transformation. By transforming the tribal communities they work with, they are ensuring a better future for the children and future generations.