Alicia Hernandez educates visitors about the medical services provided by the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix on October 7, 2024. (Photo by Lizeth Adriana Calderon/Cronkite News)
(Audio: Lizeth Adriana Calderon/Cronkite News)
PHOENIX — People line up outside the Mexican Consulate General in Phoenix, one of five Mexican consulates in Arizona.
They are seeking assistance with visa applications, consular and voter registration, and community issues. And while they wait, they learn about the free medical services provided by the consulate. According to Consul General Jorge Mendoza Yescas, about 200 to 300 people use the consulate’s services every day.
There is a large waiting room inside, and medical pamphlets are displayed in booths along the wall. On a stand near the booth is written in Spanish: For information, approach Ventanilla de Salud. ”
The Ventanilla de Salud (Health Desk) is part of the Mexican Consulate General’s medical initiatives. Mexicans and Mexican Americans can get blood pressure, blood sugar, A1C, and HIV tests and get vaccinated. Mendoza Yekascas said that while they have priorities and obligations to the Mexican community, they would not deny service to other Hispanic visitors.
The health initiative, which began in 2003 at Mexican consulates in San Diego and Los Angeles, has grown to 51 locations in the U.S. and Canada, 49 of which offer services within Mexican consulates, Ventanilla said. said Alicia Hernandez, coordinator of De Salud Phoenix. The group also operates a mobile unit that visits communities and provides local medical services.
“We usually make an announcement in front of everyone to let them know we’re here and what services we offer. And if someone is interested in a health check, we goes into the exam room and makes sure there is privacy and enough space to do it,” Hernandez said.
Mexican immigrants make up a significant portion of the U.S. immigrant population, with nearly one-fifth of U.S. immigrants originating from Mexico, and they tend to have lower incomes, on average, than immigrants from other countries, which affecting their access to health services. .
Visitors to the Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix wait their turn on October 7, 2024. (Photo by Lizeth Adriana Calderon/Cronkite News)
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics and Latinos make up more than 30% of Arizona’s population, and the majority are of Mexican descent. The picture is even bleaker for undocumented immigrants in states with limited access to public assistance.
Like many others, Romelia de la Cruz, from the Mexican state of Chiapas, learned about the medical exam from an announcement from the consulate. Delacruz’s primary language is Spanish, a change that occurred through culturally and linguistically appropriate care. “Spanish is better because I speak Spanish,” Delacruz said.
“I had an appointment here at the consulate, and when I heard they were getting the vaccine, I asked one of the staff members if they tested my blood sugar levels,” Delacruz said. “I really liked the way they treated me. The girl gave me a lot of information.”
Ventanilla de Salud has partnered with Walgreens to offer free flu vaccines at the consulate twice a week. Yareli Molina, senior pharmacy technician at Walgreens, said the number of people seeking vaccinations changes daily. “The highest we’ve gotten so far is about 19 people and the lowest we’ve gotten is about six.”
Molina said many people worry about the cost of health screenings, and the free service provided by this partnership will make it easier for the community to access health care.
Mendoza Yecascas said the embassy is looking forward to increased funding from the Mexican government to expand the scope of medical services. “Because we are channelers and have a lot of presence here in Arizona, we know a lot of organizations that can help the Mexican community. …Most importantly, these organizations are undocumented. It’s about making sure we help people, because documents are a top priority for consulates,” Mendoza Yekaskas said.
The Ventanilla de Salud initiative also offers multivitamins, glucometers to measure blood sugar levels, workout bands to track physical activity, and educational materials to promote a healthier lifestyle.
