**Residents Demand the Return of Mobile Medical Services in Tijuana Amid Suspension Due to Lack of Insurance**
In Tijuana, a group of concerned residents from the Presidentes neighborhood gathered outside the offices of Health Services Jurisdiction 2, voicing their frustration over the absence of mobile health services for the past three weeks. The suspension of these services has left many without essential medical follow-ups, vaccinations, and medications.
Evangelina Gallardo, a resident of Infonavit Presidentes, expressed her dismay: “They took away our doctors and mobile health units, and the community is desperate. These are low-income families who rely on these services and can’t even afford basic medicine,” she remarked.
Since January 8, the mobile units have ceased operations without prior notice, disrupting a routine schedule that provided medical attention every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to pregnant women and those with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
“Pregnant women keep asking me, ‘Where should I go now?’ and I have no answers for them. In our clinic on Vicente Guerrero Street, there’s no doctor or medicine available,” Gallardo explained, noting that a committee is being organized in hopes of arranging a meeting with the director of the Health Jurisdiction.
Previously, the Health Jurisdiction had 33 mobile units offering crucial medical services remote and low-income communities for over two decades. These units were affiliated with the IMSS Bienestar program and differed from the state health department convoys.
Out of the initial 33 units, only 12 were operational by the end of 2024. The non-operational units remain unrepaired. However, at the beginning of this year, due to insurance policy lapses, even the 12 functioning units could not serve the communities. As residents lack access to these critical services, medical staff and other workers remain idle within the jurisdiction.
**Additional Context: Rising Concerns Over Healthcare Access in Baja California**
The suspension of mobile health units is part of a broader issue in Baja California, where various communities face challenges accessing healthcare services. In early February, retirees in Rosarito blocked the exit of a Pemex station, demanding attention to their healthcare needs, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with public health services. The ongoing neglect has led to increasing concerns over public health, prompting community actions across the region.
The local government needs to address these underlying issues effectively to restore trust and ensure that vulnerable communities can access necessary healthcare services.