By Carola Rico
In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed April 7 as World Health Day. The aim is raising awareness about global, deadly diseases, and to create healthy habits. A theme is chosen annually based on suggestions by the member states. In recent years, the WHO has worked toward having healthcare reach every corner of the planet and to make it affordable for everyone. This year, the theme of World Health Day is “Our Planet, Our Health”.
In spite of these efforts, many people still do not have access to quality health care, and in many cases, people are forced to choose between health care and other essential daily expenses, such as food or even a roof over their heads.
In an exclusive interview with Atención, Secretary of Health for the State of Guanajuato, Daniel Alberto Díaz Martínez, shared some interesting points on this topic. He prefaced his remarks by stating that the past two years of the pandemic have been very difficult; that many people got sick, and some died; and that the economy and education were affected. Yet, he said, it is impressive that a vaccine was generated in record time.
Martínez commented on COVID-19 vaccinations in Guanajuato State. In the two years since the pandemic began, more than nine million vaccines have been administered. About four million people have had the required first and second doses, as well as the booster vaccination. Of the 6.2 million residents in the State of Guanajuato, just over one million have not yet received a single dose. This figure includes children and adolescents, for whom there is still no vaccine in Mexico.
According to Martínez, very few cases of COVID-19 are currently being reported in the state. Currently there are only about 16 cases per day, and fewer than 100 per week. In municipalities such as Irapuato, there are no deaths from COVID-19, and the percentage of hospital occupancy is below 3%. The percentage of positive cases has also decreased to below 30% in the state.
Parallel work with other government offices, dependencies, municipalities, and society in general has allowed the return to a green health light. However, we must not be overconfident or lower our guard, Martínez cautions, because the WHO has not yet declared an end to the pandemic. Further progress will depend on social behavior, but also on the virus not mutating or creating new variants. If that happens, the vaccines might not have the same protective ability for humans. We still have a lot to learn about this virus.
Martínez highlighted that the health institutions of Guanajuato are working so that everyone can access general health care through 30 prevention and care programs for men and women of all ages. Among the programs is timely detection of breast and cervical cancer in women and detection of prostate cancer in men, as well as blood pressure checks, glucose tests, and screening tests.
The Guanajuato Health Department also promotes programs that address reproductive health, rehabilitation, and chronic-degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia, which causes high cholesterol and triglycerides. The Guanajuato Health Department is a national leader in the organ transplant program. Martínez invites all Guanajuatenses to participate in the preventive health activities offered by the Health Department, and not only go to their local medical facilities when they are sick.
Martínez said that the Health Department has invested a lot of money in preventive care and publicity. It teams up with municipalities and the Department of Education in a network called “Guanajuatense Network of Municipalities for Health Care,” to certify schools that are healthy so that there are more and more healthy citizens.
As for the upcoming Easter holidays, Secretary of Health Martínez explained that the coordination between the Office of Tourism and the Guanajuato Health Department is one of absolute care and analysis. “You have seen in the past two years that for the citizens to be protected they must first be well informed. I think this is a good time for the economy to be reactivated. Tourism is essential for San Miguel; if there are risks, we communicate them. When the risk exceeds the benefit, we are not going to put anyone’s health at risk,” added Martínez.
These were the criteria that dictated the re-opening of activities such as fairs and exhibitions, and the return to classes for all schools. The health jurisdictions of the Health Department and municipal authorities cooperated to protect against health risks. Martínez also talked about the wedding destinations cities of Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende, which are reactivating that activity. National and foreign tourists are invited to celebrate the happiest day of their lives in these two destination cities, with the certainty that these are safe places that follow health protocols. Martínez feels that it is very important to gain the trust of visitors in order to reactivate the economy. He guarantees that the Health Department will be working hand in hand with San Miguel de Allende and with all municipalities to ensure safe destinations.
Finally, addressing the foreign community that resides in the state, Martínez sent the following message: “I would say, first of all, thank you for having worked with us as responsible citizens, in caring for the health of yourselves, your families, your organizations, and your employees. Secondly, thank you for allowing us to continue working with the health protocols, and to communicate information as we are doing now. It is very important for us, as we all become health promoters by knowing how things are in our state, to continue working to take care of the health of all of us who live in Guanajuato [State]. Whether we were born here or not, today we are Guanajuato residents, and the doors of our institution are always open for those who have health needs. We respect you and will continue to watch over the health of all of you.”
