New Book Informs on Mexican Health Care

Jennifer Smith
The Monitor
April 11,2005

McALLEN – Local physicians urged Elaine Bready to obtain medical travel insurance after she told them her travels would include stops in Italy, Greece and Mexico. “My doctors here don’t think very highly of the medical system in Mexico,” said the 48-year-old McAllen resident, who suffers from kidney problems. Persistent leery sentiments toward the southern neighbor’s health-care system encouraged a Phoenix physician and his two sons to publish a book listing reputable doctors and facilities in 40 Mexican cities and towns.

The Mexico: Health and Safety Travel Guide. highlights 50 private hospitals and 180 English-speaking physicians in eight provinces. It offers pre-travel advice, tips on navigating the Mexican health-care system, and an overview of common symptoms and medical conditions.

“There are facilities there that have the highest quality and have doctors that were trained in the best institutions all over the world, and have access to the best technology,” said book co-author Dr. Curtis P. Page. “But the costs are half of what they have in the United States.”

The 480-page book is important in light of the constant stream of retirees and elderly on fixed incomes going across the border to seek medical care.

“I get people calling all the time and asking me where they can get cheap medical care,” said book researcher Robert R. Page, adding Mexican health care could cost three to five times less than the United States.

Although traveler’s diarrhea is the most common ailment, tourists can be affected with everything from dengue fever to heart attack and stroke, Dr. Curtis P. Page said.

Hospitals are rated on a one-to-five scale, with five the highest possible score. The criteria involve having a complete radiology unit, CAT scanning equipment, a 24-hour emergency room staff, a modern intensive-care unit, advanced trauma and life-support capabilities, and cardiac catherization and surgery protocols.

The nearest hospital that earned five stars was Hospital San José, Tec de Monterrey in Monterrey. The other major Monterrey hospital, called Hospital Santa Engracia, earned top marks as well, and is affiliated with Baylor Medical School.

No hospitals were evaluated north of Monterrey because “we figured if people are close to the border, they’re just going to go back home (to the United States),” Dr. Curtis P. Page said.

A fall 2006 edition will evaluate hospitals north of Monterrey, Robert R. Page said.

Still, local physicians remained wary of Mexico’s hospital system.

“As far as quality care, they (doctors) are well trained, but they are limited by the resources they have,” said Dr. Linda Villarreal, an Edinburg internist. “You just don’t know where the equipment came from, how long it has been sitting somewhere.”

The lack of stringent government oversight and mandated doctor certification is another concern, said McAllen physician Dr. Benjamin Bujanda.

Concerned patients can always check a doctor’s license through the federal Secretary of Health department, Robert R. Page said.

“I’m sure there are very good and I’m sure they have bad hospitals,” said Paul Villas, a University of Texas-Pan American professor of public health. “Just like everywhere else.”

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Jennifer C. Smith covers environment, science and health issues for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.