US and Mexican officials sign MOU
CALEXICO — The 2017 Binational Health Week (BHW) opened with high expectations to reach out to underserved populations and avert preventable diseases Friday.
Multiple health care agencies provided information tables to alert people on both sides of the border of preventative measures.
Attendees gathered at the San Juan Diego Parish Hall, to be welcomed by Mexican Consul Carlos Flores Vizcarra, in Calexico.
Vizcarra reminded guests BHW began at the University of California, Berkley, 17 years ago to address the health needs of migrant workers.
“We’ve begun a partnership with the Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District to reach out to people to make them aware of the need to look after their own health and combat infectious diseases,” he said.
“Last year we had 20 events in October attended by 1,500 to check blood pressure, blood sugar and calcium levels. We hope to surpass that this year.”
Larry Lewis, chief executive officer of PMHD, said it was great to see so many in the health care industry represented to serve a great cause. “We’re looking forward to our ongoing partnership with (BHW), providing more access to care in your own neighborhoods.”
Signing the Memorandum of Understanding were Dr. Guillermo Trejo Dozal, secretary of health for Baja California, and Imperial County Public Health Department Deputy Director for Health and Support Services Danila Vargas.
“It’s important because it’s the first binational surveillance project and it gives us a better understanding of viruses and bacteria occurring on both sides of the border,” she said.
Paula Kriner, ICPHD senior epidemiologist, noted they could get a finer idea of pathogens circulating in the border region by monitoring respiratory illnesses.
They are also cooperating with the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego who tests samples from Mexican and American patients with influenza, rhino virus, and respiratory syncytial virus.
“We’re publishing a respiratory update on our website www.icphd.org year-round, but more frequently during flu season,” she said. “We’re also monitoring influenza-like illnesses out of Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo in Calexico, El Centro, and Brawley.
It’s wonderful we can expand our surveillance on respiratory illness and share information with the general hospital in Mexicali.”
Ventanilla de Salud, a health resource specialist, operating out of the Consulate General of Mexico in Calexico, intends to inform more people of its available services.
They are doing chronic disease campaigns with the Office of Binational Health focusing on checking height, weight and appropriate body mass index, noted Adriana Buelna, program coordinator.
They are also investigating people with severe health problems, heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, breast cancer and advanced dental and gum decay.
“We want to educate people of the best way to be healthy and how to stay fit by taking care of the basics,” said Buelna.