James did you work at this clinic? Can I also ask if you are a health care professional? Thanks Carol Ryan ----- Original Message ----- From: James Osbourne, Holmes To: Silver List Sent: Monday, May 15, 2000 11:25 AM Subject: CS>From the CSpro site.
MEXICO FREE CLINIC CLOSED! It seems that the local "DOCTORS" didn't like our clinic very much! When we were there, the patient count at the clinic averaged over 100-150 per day, with many coming from as far away as Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. While the clinic was open, "local doctors" patient counts would drop to "0"! Apparently, they (the doctors) had some connections in the Mexican Immigration Department. So one day, Immigration Officials showed up at the clinic, claiming that the American Doctors all had "Tourist Visas", and were not permitted to "work" in Mexico! They threatened to "Deport" everyone - UNLESS (of course) THEY WERE PAID A "HUGE" BRIBE (called Mordida)!!! It was argued that since everyone there had paid their own money to come, learn, and help, and no one was "working" for any kind of compensation, it was NOT WORK, but "Public Service". This made no difference to the "Officials". NO MORDIDA - NO STAY! We were also WARNED not to try making an "Issue" of this matter, or to try taking it to a "higher authority"!!!!! Smell the "rotten fish" here? Si! A call was made to our "friend" (the Governor of Colima), but since the Immigration Department was "Federal", there was nothing he could do. The objective of the clinic was to help the poor and needy, NOT line the pockets of greedy government officials! Also, it is doubtful that the doctors who attend have the financial wherewithall (or desire), nor does the clinic, to "pay" the Mexican Officials to be able to provide a "free service" to the people. With no other options available, the clinic was closed So once again, as is often the case, the "people" suffer for the "GREED" of their government officials. Will the clinic reopen one day? It is possible, but for now, only time will tell! James Osbourne Holmes FTNWO
