La Paz

As 45% of the state’s overall population lives in the municipality of La Paz, and the city of La Paz is the locale of the state’s government seat, La Paz has the best health infrastructure and human resources in the state.[1] In the municipality, the SSA has twenty health centers, a general hospital, a psychiatric facility, and four mobile units; the IMSS has one primary care hospital and one secondary care hospital; and the ISSSTE has three primary care hospitals and one secondary care hospital.  As mentioned above, however, financial constraints at ISSSTE and IMSS are compromising the quality and quantity of care.  To assist government programs, community leaders seek coordination between the government, and nonprofits, which can disperse primary health care resources, provide educational materials on prevention, and help identify emerging health problems.

La Paz municipality has the highest occurrence rates for a number of diseases in the state, including heart-related illness,[2] cancerous tumors,[3] sicknesses related to the kidneys (such as kidney failure or kidney stones),[4] and nutrition-related illnesses.[5]  There are also serious issues with traffic accidents, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health awareness.  Prevention efforts are few and far between, and though they are beginning to have an effect, more can and should be done to address these issues. 

In some areas, it is necessary to fumigate periodically during the rainy season, especially in February to avoid coetaneous and eye infections, as well as dengue and respiratory and intestinal illnesses in children.  An insufficient drainage and garbage collection system, lack of potable water, and poor animal management also contribute to water-borne and respiratory illnesses.  Women’s sexual and reproductive health education may alleviate HIV/AIDS and sexually-transmitted disease transmittal.

Despite healthcare accessibility, there are still vulnerable populations in La Paz municipality.  Rural areas suffer from lack of transportation, specifically ambulances, available in case of emergency.  Additionally, small children with special needs, such as children of single mothers, are a highly vulnerable health sector.  Currently, a private day care facility is being built to tend to children with special needs because there are no public facilities available.