- Deadly attacks on medical interns in rural towns are becoming more frequent.
- On other occasions they are also forced to treat criminals wounded by bullets.
- Doctors do not want to work outside the big cities because they put their own integrity at risk.
Violence is not a new issue on the national agenda because it has been present for decades. The biggest drawback is that all governments promise to end this incident but none have been able to. While it has now been taken up for lack of doctors in rural areas and the decision to bring in Cuban specialists.
All the barriers they must face
In this case, it has been handled that doctors in our country refuse to move to places far from big cities. One of the reasons mentioned is the salary because in most of these spaces the pay is minimal.
Similarly, it is indicated that the lack of supplies is another cause for Mexican doctors refuse to work in rural areas. Most clinics lack medicines and tools for patient care. This point cannot be denied, although in reality this situation occurs in all corners of the country. Even hospitals located in large megalopolises suffer for this reason.
In reality, the main barrier is violence. Attacks and aggressions against health professionals who are in the towns are constantly reported. In most cases they do not receive sufficient guarantees to carry out their activities safely.
These unfortunate events start from social service. By obligation, all doctors must dedicate a year of their lives to work in health centers. Some choose the path of research or prefer a place close to home. Instead, others are sent to far away places where there are not even police or the authorities are in collusion with the criminals.
With the above in mind, they constantly make themselves known cases of interns who are forced to treat injured criminals. Although that is the least worse because on other occasions young people are directly attacked in various ways. Kidnappings and deadly assaults have also become common.
Ensuring the safety of health workers in rural populations
Against this background, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador made a new promise a few days ago. During a morning conference from the National Palace He promised to end attacks against doctors in rural areas.
In this case, he assured that his commitment is to take care of all those who are in charge of caring for patients. He also thanked the entire health union for the work done during the pandemic. He called them heroes and heroines for the disposition they have had during the last two years.
While for a couple of years the National Examination for Applicants to Medical Residences (ENARM) made a modification that has been criticized. It consists of awarding an additional point in the final grade to applicants who do their social service in places of extreme poverty.
For some it is a wrong decision because the integrity of young people is exposed. Besides, it’s not worth risking your life for a point on the exam.
That is why the important thing now is to analyze the current situation and see that salary and supplies are not the origin of the problem for doctors in rural areas. The real concern must be to offer full security so that they can do their job without putting their own integrity at risk.