Promoting the Right to Health of Indigenous Populations

Location: Chiapas

Situation:

Mexico’s economic growth in the last ten years has not reduced the inequalities or social exclusion which drives a large number of Mexicans to choose clandestine emigration to the United States. They are forced to cross the border in unsure or high-risk situations, particularly at Tijuana and Mexicali. With this background, the marginalisation of indigenous populations in southern Mexico also remains a problem.

Activities:

MdM France has been working in Mexico since 1998. The current programme aims to improve the health of the indigenous populations. With the support of the communities, MdM is training health promoters and is setting up four micro-clinics to enable access to healthcare for these populations. More than 500 promoters look after their communities’ health and work with the three reference microclinics.

Outlook:

The implementation of a health system managed by the indigenous community will enable them to become more autonomous. Real negotiations between the government and the Zapatista movement would enable more lasting solutions for managing their health to be found.

Project start date: July 2006     

End date: December 2010