As accidents have surged in recent months, the Mexican Red Cross in Tijuana has responded by reopening its ambulance base in the Santa Fe area. Alberto Quintanar, the director of the Tijuana branch, noted that after three years of relatively stable statistics, traffic and emergency call incidents in Santa Fe have climbed significantly over the last two months.
Quintanar explained that the region’s dense traffic often delayed ambulance response times, prompting the decision to deploy an ambulance around-the-clock, every day of the week, in an effort to reduce response times. With the reopening of this base, municipal response times have improved from an average of 23 to 15 minutes, and further reductions are anticipated.
In 2024, the Mexican Red Cross recorded a 25% increase in ambulance services across Tijuana, reflecting a significant spike in demand. The reinstated base is one of 11 similar facilities in Tijuana, poised to enhance emergency response capabilities. These bases allow medical personnel to remain on standby for emergency calls, which in turn aims to cut down response times significantly.
Additionally, the base serves nearby areas and can coordinate with crews from the Red Cross in Rosarito, providing mutual support based on regional needs. The Santa Fe district has been notably affected by traffic-related incidents due to congestion during peak hours, which complicates access to, and departure from, the area.
The Red Cross in Tijuana manages approximately 130 cases involving gunshot wounds, stabbings, heart attacks, and up to 500 accidents each month— a testament to their growing service demand. Chronic health conditions, like diabetes and hypertension, also contribute to the workload, with severe cases numbering around 130 to 140 monthly. In total, they handle about 4,000 emergency services monthly.
The Santa Fe base officially resumed operations on December 24, 2024, and includes amenities for on-duty personnel, such as a waiting area, dining facilities, restrooms with showers, and beds for paramedics. Despite the expansion of its services, the Red Cross in Tijuana faces an annual operational deficit of 6 to 7 million pesos, a challenge it continues to address through community donations and funding.
The Tijuana branch will inaugurate its annual fundraising campaign with a breakfast event in February 2025, aligned with its efforts to sustain and expand their operations under the leadership of Dr. Jorge Astiazarán OrcÃ.
**Secondary Article: Traffic Issues Driving Red Cross Expansion Efforts Nationwide**
Spurred by rising accident rates and prolonged emergency response times, the expansion of Red Cross facilities is becoming a priority in cities across the country, not just Tijuana. According to recent reports, cities with high traffic congestion are witnessing increased demand for rapid-response medical services.
Major cities have been initiating similar expansions, setting up new ambulance bases in densely populated areas to enhance emergency healthcare delivery. Efforts in metropolitan areas include deploying additional medical personnel and upgrading equipment to ensure faster responses. This approach is particularly critical in regions where roadways experience heavy traffic, creating bottlenecks and delaying emergency services.
The expansion of Red Cross capabilities is seen as a crucial step to meet the healthcare demands of rapidly growing urban populations and to address the complexities associated with urban traffic management effectively. This strategy not only enhances the delivery of critical care but also helps cultivate community trust and support for these essential services.
As urban centers keep growing, experts stress the importance of infrastructure development that aligns emergency services with the rising population density and traffic challenges. This integration aims to offer timely medical attention and safeguard public health amid evolving urban landscapes.