Skeet/Loreto - 2-6-2004 at 10:16 AM
As Vistors and Future residents we all need information about the Health Care System in Baja Norte and Baja Sur.!!
For those in the Know and Position to Know Please Share that information on this Board!
Please no "Balme" Shame" or Flame" lets keep it on the General discussion so everyone can benefit! thank You
Erendira health care
dug - 2-6-2004 at 01:10 PM
I participate in a group that takes team of dentists, physician, and opticians to small Baja communities a couple of times a year. We have worked in
Erendira the last three years.
The clinic provides treatment for most minor health problems. More serious problems get sent to Ensenada. The medical care is free to residents and
visitors alike. We have seen Americans who live in the community come for minor treatment and they say they are not charged differently than the
Mexican residents. We saw two American motorcycle accident victims (minor accidents) who were treated the same as the residents.
There is no dental care in the community. I?m told that dental care is not provided in the same way as medical care so people who can?t afford it
don?t get it.
The physician rotates every year, after completing the Social Service obligation. The quality of medical care depends on the competency and commitment
of the physician. I rate them as generally good. The current physician is well trained and has interest and expertise beyond what is generally needed
in the community. One nurse in Erendira is a local resident and has worked there for years. The second nurse is serving his Social Service obligation
and is well trained.
Medicines must be purchased by the patient, the clinic has no budget to provide the medicine. The pharmacy in Erendira stocks the commonly needed
medicines and can get others if requested.
When I travel in Baja, I take emergency medicines since I know there may be competent medical care but don?t know about the availability of the
medicines in rural areas. I would trust myself to the physicians I have met.
Skeet/Loreto - 2-6-2004 at 01:40 PM
Thank You.
It is my understanding that there are 3 different Hospitals systems with in Baja' Does anybody have that Type of information?What, Where, ?
From the Baja Emergency Guide...
jeans - 2-6-2004 at 04:59 PM
According to The Baja Emergency Guide,
a listing of medical, police & other emergency services:
"There are several different government run facilities: Cruz Roja (Red Cross), Centros De Salud, IMSS Hospitals & ISSSTE Hospitals. Cruz Rojas &
Centros De Salud are free of charge to Mexican nationals and reasonably priced for foreigners. IMSS & ISSSTE hospitals are for Government employees or
Mexican workers enrolled in a health care program. In the larger cities there are privately run hospitals as well. All are required by law to assist
foreigners in emergency situations. For dental emergencies (Toothaches can go from zero to excruciating in a matter of hours) we suggest going to a
medical facility for a referral."
They also say:
Highly Recommended: A $30 membership to the non-profit organization Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee. They will act as
your advocate and intermediary between the two governments, insurance and medical transport. This is the best deal there is. For more
information visit their website at Binational Emergency Medical Care Committee
[Edited on 2-7-2004 by jeans]
Stuff
Mike - 2-6-2004 at 05:31 PM
Don't forget Jeans, you can get Instant Insurance and Binational coverage together by buying the insurance for a year!
They are both insurance coverages, FYI
mike
Things seem to work better there--a true story.
BajaVida - 2-7-2004 at 05:26 PM
About 7 or 8 years ago we had a medical emergency after we finished whale watching in Bahia Magdalena. I slammed the door of the van we were riding
in on a friends finger. The bone was crushed and his finger nearly severed.
We went to the Clinica in Puerto Lopez Mateos; they took us right away. They cleaned up the wound; administered a pain shot. They said they could do
no more and told us to go to the hospital in Ciudad Constitution. We were out of the clinic in about 15 minutes and they refused to let us pay.
We went to the hospital; the bone was set (wired), the cut stitched and bandaged and we were out of there in about an hour. The cost: $40 for the
hospital and $100 for the surgeon. He even gave physical therapy information.
My friend's doctor checked him out when we got home and said all was done well.
Would have probably cost several thousand dollars in the US.
Packoderm - 2-7-2004 at 05:42 PM
We were in Cabo in '95, and my wife cut her heel on some coral at Playa Santa Maria. We were referred to a clinic in the middle of CSL (about 7 blocks
from the harbor). The staff attended us after just a couple minutes. The doctor gave my wife 5 or 6 stitches and offered her a tetanus shot. She
didn't need it, but I said that it had been a while for me, so they gave me an injection. I also mentioned that one of my ears was giving me trouble
from the snorkeling. He checked it out and gave me some drops. The bill for both of our treatments was ten dollars U.S. They would not take more.
About a year of so later, while I was working in the U.S., I stepped on a long nail that went all the way through my boot. (You could clearly see it
sticking up through the top of my foot - ouch!) The nearest health-care was Roseville Hospital. I had to wait over 4 hours while I counted only 2
other patients that got attended. They pulled out the nail with a pair of pliers, (ten seconds of work - max) taped up my foot with some paper/cloth
wrapping, threw away my blood soaked boot, gave me a bill for 600 U.S. dollars, and said, to paraphrase, "Have a nice day." About a week after that
lame act, I read in the local paper that that particular hospital was milking it on the urgent care in order to discourage people from showing up
because they weren?t making enough money from it. True story.
Health care
jrbaja - 2-7-2004 at 07:50 PM
Pack, I learned from running carpentry crews for thirty some years that unless there is a possibility of bleeding to death, most common accidents
involved nailguns and staplers, you are much better off (and probably have much better pliers) pulling the sucker out yourself, using a good
cleanser, and patching it up youself. I have pictures of most incidents somewhere at home if anyone is interested in const. accidents.
Going to a doctor/emergency care facility is ridiculous in those instances as you learned.
In Rosarito, we have a family doctor who happens to be a she from La Paz originally. She, and her family know what they are doing. They don't put up
with our medicated gringo nonsense and fix the problems. I have so many examples I don't want to get started.
But, for those of you that think paying all that money to a u.s. doctor because they are better at what they do, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
Her's an example for you regarding doctors. My car as many of you know has been sick for the last week or so. Pretty serious injuries including new
rear suspension and a transmission. The quote was for $750.00 u.s. When I got the van back today, they charged me $690.00 because it was easier
than they thought it would be. (Drive shaft fit ).
Now, when yall are tellin me that your country is the best in the world, I truly have to ask myself why ????????????
PS, BSAR may have had a little to do with it but we will discuss that at a later date.
Well,
Mike - 2-7-2004 at 08:14 PM
The USA is the best in the world, at EVERYTHING.
But, there is always a BUT.
This subject is much more complicated and EASY than expected.
Leave it to Americans to figure it out.
Want to know the truth about getting the HELL back to the states? Yes, sometimes it is better to handle stuff in Mex, but, when you need EMERGENCY
LIFE SUPPORT...email me, I know, I went thru it. Happy to pass on the stuff...FREE
mike
Sorry to hear that Mike
jrbaja - 2-7-2004 at 09:35 PM
Glad everything worked out OK for you.
And , you are right about one thing, the u.s. is certainly better at creating some weird arse people in the news every day.
Packoderm - 2-8-2004 at 04:25 AM
J.R.Baja, yes, I'm interested. Please scan and post those pictures of those injuries. I wish I had video coverage of my experience.
We run the "free" clinic at Lopez Mateo
capt. mike - 2-8-2004 at 07:46 AM
www.flyingsamaritans.com (phx)
www.flyingsamaritans.org (int'l)
always looking for volunteers.
Gracias Flying Samaritans
BajaVida - 2-8-2004 at 08:45 AM
My friend was going into shock; glad the clinic was there. I am afraid to think about what would have happened had the clinic not been there.
I always took my 'clinic' with me.
M - 2-8-2004 at 11:29 AM
I managed to slice the side of my foot pretty good on a broken beer bottle. I was a lot braver in those days and unless I had organs showing usually
just patched myself up with a pretty extensive medical kit I carried with me. Graham took the photo, then we went fishing.
M
Packoderm - 2-8-2004 at 11:45 AM
Good job M. Now I'm feeling like a wimp.
When my boss saw the hospital bill, he sent me to a clinic for the follow up. The clinic was like a mini-mart for health care. They even had one named
Med-7. It was a better option than the hospital; but apparently, the hospitals, doctors, and HMOs filed suit and had all of the quickie-clinics closed
down. Apparently, they (Roseville Hospital) didn?t want to serve me, and they didn?t want anybody else serving me either.
Skeet/Loreto - 2-8-2004 at 01:41 PM
Thank you to All Posters!
Please would someone that knows about Health Care in Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio. Mulege, Santa Rosalli.a Loreto respond!
As more people get further South of the Border it becomes more difficult to get back to the States. You need to be aware of the Facilities that are
near to your Location.
{I was told that someone in Loreto has donated a Difiblator{SP] which is avaiaible some where in Loreto?]
There are three hospitals in Constitution with a good suppy of Doctors and Surgerons!
If we can get enough interest and information I will gladly see that a check List is printed and send to every one who request Same, this will take
some time as I will concentrate on Baja Sur.
that way if you have a problem between Loreto and Constitution you will know where to go or any other locations on the Road.
I would appreciate any information,tele,numbers,Ambulance,speci locations of Clinics, Doctors, Hospitals.
God Bless
Skeet/Loreto
M - 2-8-2004 at 09:07 PM
Skeet,
The new Baja Emergency Guide has all the info you need. I got my copy when Jeans got hers. DK? you know where to get it? Jeans?
[Edited on 9-2-2004 by M]
Guide
MICK - 2-9-2004 at 07:51 AM
You can find the Baja Emergency Guide at
BajaEmergencyGuide.com It is a great tool to have when in baja.
We had an experiance in La paz and the hospital there was great. it is a teaching hospital so there are some very good doctors there.
Mick
David K - 2-9-2004 at 07:57 AM
The Baja Emergency Guide is available from my web site, it is listed with other Baja books and authors web site's at http://davidksbaja.com/davidslinks.html It is an e-book which means as soon as you pay, you can print it on your own pc.
Dear David
Mike - 2-9-2004 at 09:12 AM
How long have you been in a paid affiliate relationship with the guide?
How much do they pay?
They pay per customer through your link, right?
Mike
Skeet/Loreto - 2-9-2004 at 11:13 AM
David: I am interested in gettin feed back from Travels ,residents,etc. that have had Actual Experience with the various Clinics, Doctors, Hospitals
etc. In the mean time i will get the book and take a look see.
so anyone that reads this Post please send your information along, there may be things that we can learn that will be a great Help, things that may
not be in the Book.!
Skeet/Loreto
Better have a good pen
Mike - 2-9-2004 at 12:40 PM
with alot of ink. The 'guide' has only phone book info and not even that. So, you'll do alot of writing, though, once you have a base of data, it'll
be a start!
good luck
Mike O.
M - 2-9-2004 at 01:03 PM
So what is your great interest in sabotaging this guide? You seem to be working hard at it and seem very concerned that anybody should have anything
but a bad opinion of it. I have the guide and what you are saying is not true. It is very informative and contains info that is NOT easily available.
On a number of occasions when I was going down there I wish I had info it contained. By the way, I have no personal interest or income coming from my
endorsement, but I have become curious about your interest in badmouthing it. This book is the product of someone who knows & loves Baja and got off
their butt to make a plan and idea come to fruition. Why would you want to try and harm that? M
Sabotage?
Mike - 2-9-2004 at 04:02 PM
Thats a Bugs Bunny word, right?
Just asking questions.
And seeking to fill in the blanks for those who may think it is the 'be all, end all'.
I bought one, but after spending so much of my life on the subject matter, simply replicating insufficient data does not serve the purpose for which,
you would think, it would be intended.
Simple, but critical, elements were not included in the guide. Why?
Knowing the number to the local red cross leaves one with false sense of security. One of your posters is looking to fil in the data. An admirable
effort. It needs it.
I leave the sabotage to others.
Besides, who has the time?
Mike Overcast
Skeet/Loreto - 2-9-2004 at 04:31 PM
Now! Now! Now!
this post i made for the purpose of Factual Information , and I requested no "Blame,Shame, or Flame""
To give me something to do when I was not delivering a set of Twins i realized a need in Baja for information that may not be easy to find.
In the many, many years that I traveled that road and Before i have been in some places where just a Basic First Aid Kit has been very Helpful.
Even to the point of carrying a small Breakable vial of Morphine!
There are times as people start getting in to the isolated spots of Baja Sur that they cannot pick up a phone and dial 911'
They should be aware of their general location and the nearest location of Medical Assistance, for instance: If you take the side road to Agua Verde
and have a problem say 5 mies down the road, Depending the Nature of the Problem and How serious where you go back to Loreto or foward to Cuidad
Constitution.
that is why I am asking as the people who live ther can seek out the information and just maybe some ones life can be saved because they have the
Info. You could even tie it into GPS Locations.
Money does not interest me! Saving a life does!!
I am thinking that besides the names of the Hospitals, names of the Directors,Clinics and etc, Specific locations and Directions.
So please everyone try to help Out.
Skeet/Loreto
Yes Skeet!
Mike - 2-9-2004 at 05:21 PM
Lets make the effort one for the good of all! First hand information is best, Nomads is a terrific forum to compile and document what is REALLY
happening on the penninsula. I will let my people know you have started this discussion and to add onto the thread for medical emergency info in
timely accounts. The most recent the better.
My hat is off to you,
Mike Overcast
David K - 2-9-2004 at 09:00 PM
Mike O., I really don't know how much commission the publisher will reward me for any books sold off my web site. I don't think any have been sold off
it, as of yet. I posted the link to my site instead of directly to the book's site to see how it works. I realy don't care if I get anything, I am
promoting the book because it is so damn good. The book is very informative, contains details I have not seen before, and is dirt cheap! I will pay
twice that for almost anything that has Baja in it... and this has GPS directions to Internet cafes, police stations, hospitals!!!
As I said Mike,
M - 2-9-2004 at 09:12 PM
Was just curious about your reasons, ah... silly me, I forgot, you have 'people' and your own interests in your own Baja business to look out after.
Good nuff. All I said was, I am very happy with it and the details it provides and you sold it WAY short. M
Whatever
Mike - 2-9-2004 at 10:04 PM
Hey Skeet, good for you. I like efforts that benefit all, you are doing that.
Mike Overcast
Skeet/Loreto - 2-10-2004 at 08:24 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen,Boys and Girls!
Everyone that is going to Baj sur in the next year! As you are in different locations and see a Clinic and have the time or should I say Take the
time, Stop and meet the people. You will be amazed at the people you meet and the Friend you might make for the future Trips.
Some Travelers may not realize that most of the time if you go into a Hospital, you have to go to a different Location for Blood Test, and when you
get those test it is up to you to Pay for them and take them back to the doc., or the Hosptial.
Also that if you are in the Hospital, your family members are expected to take care of your needs, if your family is near.
It is my desire to give out information that has been received from persons who have received those Services or have discussed with the various
Medical personal.
thanks for you imput! Skeet/Loreto
Pescador - 2-10-2004 at 08:12 PM
I have used the hospital at Santa Rosalia twice. First time I had a fish hook buried and I could not push it through. Went to the hospital and they
gave me an anasthetic and pulled it. No charge but we made a donation to the hospital.
Second time, I had a friend who had what I thought was a heart attack while staying at San Lucas Cove. Took him in and they found an old wicker
wheel chair with no rubber on one wheel. We got him into bed and the doctor wanted to do an intake so he hunted for about 20 minutes for the right
paper and then typed everything on an old royal manual typewriter. The Key cover was gone and it was missing one spool for the ribbon but no problem
they just pulled the ribbon on to the floor and then when it filled the spool, they just pulled it off on to the floor again. Then I had to drive
down into town and go to all of the different pharmacies for the medicine the doctor wanted. Then they tried to do an EKG but the machine was so
antiquated that it did not function and we could not get a reading. I asked if they were going to do an enzyme test and they assured me they would
since he was suspected of having a heart attack. But when I checked with my friend, he indicated that they never did take blood. So anyway they held
him for four days and then released him and since he had gotten better with all the steroids, they diagnosed the problem as emphysema. Total cost for
4 days for the hospital--$99.00. When I got him back to San Lucas he went right back into breathing problems so he rode out to San Diego with some
guys who were EMT's. Diagnosis there? full blown heart attack and he had more attacks when he was in the hospital.
So the moral of the story, the hospital in Santa Rosalia is about the same as an emergency clinic and does great with babies and fishhooks, but
anything more than that and I will probably head to the US as fast as I can.
Skeet/Loreto - 2-10-2004 at 08:22 PM
Thanks Pescador!
that is just what I am looking for!
When I left Loreto a couple of years back there was a women named Paulina who was trying to get a Defibilator into the Hospital there. Is there any
one in Loreto who has that information?
Bob and Susan in Mulege! How about your Health Care?
Does anyone know about Guerrero N
Negro?
I know that there is excellent Service in Constitution{3 Hospitals},several Clinics.
i am hoping to make a trip down and comply some basic information. thanks for any Help!! Skeet/Loreto
Yes,
Mike - 2-11-2004 at 07:27 PM
after all of the cases I have either been a witness to heard third hand from valid sources (Insurance companies, Consulate, SD County Government)
there are AT LEAST two medical emergencies per day in Baja California (the whole thing).
One prevailing truth I see in the majority of the cases is...GET TO THE STATES ASAP. I mean, don't panic, but, do what you can, to overcome logistic
and legal issues and beware of medical diagnostic questions. Often, its the medical figuring out business that compounds the logistic and legal
problems.
great thread
mike
Skeet/Loreto - 2-11-2004 at 10:02 PM
Mike. Are the things you are getting for Baja Norte in and around TJ,Ensenada, SAn Quntin?
I have found in the areas that i have been in that you are much better off getting Local Assistance. Why take the chance coming back to the States
when you have good Care near?
I am not sure if I am following your Logic!
True Story;Several years ago a 70 year old large Male in the company of his wife, had a Stroke at Creel{In the mountains between Los Mochis.
Mexicano people got a local pilot, who took out the rear seat of the Plane, picked the Man up in a Mattress from the Hotes, put him in the back of a
pick up truck,up a very bad road to the Plane and flew him to the hospital in Chiuachia.
one week in the clinic and then I went down and brought him back in a Car.
Emergency Air Service would not accept anything but Cash to go get him. Medicare paid for most of the health Care while in the Hospital. Price quoted
for Emergency service to El Paso $15,000
he later said that he was much better off boing to the Mexican Hospital and staying than Risk a Flight North.
Skeet/Loreto
All Posters!
Skeet/Loreto - 2-12-2004 at 11:28 AM
Please talk to all of your friends and enemies . Ask Tucker at La Paz about Health Care, Ask Pam in Loreto, How about Bob and Susan in Muelge!
Please we need your information about the Medical Care.
It will take people to save lives in Baja ,not Airplanes and Consulates.
Get to know your local people it will pay off!
Skeet/Loreto