Page 2 | April 2001 | Index | Page 3

A Young Tzeltal girl plays a game of Memoria (what we know as Concentration) with her older brother during her recovery.

respiratory infections, gastro-intestinal infections, and urinary infections and conditions.  These are related to high altitude, cold weather, exposure to the elements, bad water, and poor sanitation. All of these sicknesses are preventable, but most are beyond the ability of poverty-stricken people in the midst of violence to resolve.  These problems require a peaceful, uncorrupt state and local municipal authority that is accountable to the people.  In spite of the recent changes in Mexico, and even in Chiapas, it is too soon to see these changes made visible.

Notice the bulge in the “0-9 years” age range!  One quarter of all patients are under the age of ten, reflecting the poverty, malnutrition, and fragile condition of indigenous children in many parts of Chiapas.  Young adults of parenting/working age are also vulnerable.  Notice how few elderly patients there are.  This reflects the very limited life span in Chiapas. Many people die before their 55th birthday.  The patients come from the  municipalities all around the hospital, up to many hours distance by four-wheel drive truck, rickety buses, horses, mules, or human backs! 

Patient distribution according to race and tribe is:

The big illnesses that hit the people most ferociously are: