Originally posted by DavidE
I do. I did. And I saw them arrested. I also fought with the ministerio publico over it.
If the cops think there is money in it for them Ensenada Dr. and someone is dead, then you can bet your sweet patootie they are going to look. "Oh,
this person is a doctor. Well OK". Oh they used a machine, that person is dead? They are not a doctor?
Here's a little something to chew on...
We are all familiar with the “Good Samaritan Law”. This law protects you from becoming liable for helping in an emergency situation. The Good
Samaritan law allows you to give aid within your scope of expertise at a car accident or other disaster without being sued for any reason in the
performance of your aid. Mexico has no such law. You as a visitor or citizen can not give any aid at anytime or anyplace with out breaking the law.
The only organization able to perform emergency services outside of a hospital or medial clinic in Mexico is the Cruz Roja. Do not stop and help! Call
for help 065 or at lakeside 765-2308. You will be at risk of arrest, deportation or being financially responsible. To understand how this came about,
we must look at its history.
As early as 1898, the Spanish Red Cross approached the Mexican Government to inquire about the emergency services available in the Republic. At that
time, such services were provided by the Mexican Army. The Mexican President, Porfirio Diaz, had been a general, had strong ties to the Military, and
showed no interest in establishing a Mexican Red Cross. By 1907, however, the Mexican Army had fallen on hard times. Diaz, still President, had cut
back on its funds, producing inefficiency and dissatisfaction among career officers.
On August 2nd of that year Mexico recognized the Geneva Convention and on February 21, 1910, a presidential decree recognized the Red Cross, but made
it an auxiliary of the Army. In 1919, it was recognized by the International Red Cross and received a charter in 1923. Since then, the organization
has been prohibited from accepting any financial aid from any government agency. It is financed by private donations only. It also severed its ties
with the Army. Now, the Army gave up its role as the provider of day to day emergency care, shifting the burden to the Cruz Roja Mexicana. Thus, it
became the sole designated caregiver in situations normally handled and paid for by governments in most parts of the world.
Today, both the Mexican Red Cross and the Mexican National Health Service, IMSS, maintain hospitals in all major cities. Larger cities also run
Municipal Hospitals. However, the IMSS hospitals serve only those who work for companies that provide them with coverage. Those who are not covered by
their employers still must turn to either a Red Cross or Municipal Hospital for free care. By and large, emergency health care in big cities is good.
That is not the case in small towns and villages.
Those who live outside large municipalities and are unable to pay for private care, are totally dependant on the Red Cross to provide emergency care
and transport them to the nearest hospital that offers free service. The needs of the less affluent members of the community, who have non-emergency
medical problems, are handled in a free clinic that operates 6 days a week. It provides a consultation with a doctor and in most cases, free
medications are dispensed (Central Salud). The Delegation requests a donation after the services are rendered, but what is received seldom cover
costs. Fortunately, the Delegation has two auxiliary groups. The Cruz Roja International Volunteers, largely non-Mexican and the Damas of the Cruz
Roja, mostly Mexican ladies, run fund raising events that keep a monthly deficit under control, but just barely.
Again, it is sad but do not offer aid in an emergency unless you are willing to suffer the possible consequences. What you CAN do is to contribute to
the Cruz Roja on a regular basis. We have a great need for monthly and annual contributions as well as the support of the fund raising projects run
throughout the year.
Cruz Roja depends on YOU! Anyone wanting to contribute to any of these needs please contact Norm Pifer at 766-0616 or Charlie Klestadt at 766-3671.
You can, as always, find all our current information on our website at WWW.cruzrojalakeside.com
Remember the life you save may be your own.
Printed with permission of Cruz Roja. September 2009. |