- 1
- 2
- 3
- next
- | single page
|
People visiting Mexicali and utilizing the city's more than 150 doctors, hospitals and pharmacies participating in city medical tourism guide can use a dedicated medical lane when crossing back through the Calexico West Port of Entry. (PHOTO COURTESY OF MEXICALI'S COMITE' DE TURISMO Y CONVENCIONES / May 5, 2012) |
MEXICALI — Those heading south of the border for medical resources don’t have to worry about waiting as long to cross back into
the U.S. with the debut this past week of a medical tourism lane at the Calexico West Port of Entry.
The lane is part of a larger plan by the city’s tourism department, Comite de Turismo y Convenciones de Mexicali, to harness the
lucrative medical tourism market.
More than 155,000 people visited Mexicali Municipal, which includes Algodones, and spent about $16 million in medical tourism in
2010, COTUCO Director Omar Dipp said. This includes hotel stays, meals and more in addition to the medical procedures themselves.
Calexico Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Hildy Carrillo said that the promotion is positive for Calexico too as patients,
their families and friends will likely stay, eat or shop in Calexico while receiving medical services in Mexicali.
The entrance to the medical tourism lane is a few blocks from the border crossing and eventually feeds into the other lanes closer
to the Calexico West Port of Entry.
To enter, one must have a pass administered by one of the participating medical providers listed in a medical directory,
identification to enter the U.S., a receipt of expenses, and the vehicle must have U.S. plates or a logo from a participating
medical facility.
People can use the dedicated medical lane for something as small as purchasing medications or as significant as surgery as long as
they have the proper documents.
The medical lane is accessible 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday as well as 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
It cuts border crossing waiting time down and is monitored by tourist police 24 hours a day to prevent abuse.
Mexicali published a medical guide last fall with more than 155 participating doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. It’s the first
city in Mexico to do so, Dipp said.
the U.S. with the debut this past week of a medical tourism lane at the Calexico West Port of Entry.
The lane is part of a larger plan by the city’s tourism department, Comite de Turismo y Convenciones de Mexicali, to harness the
lucrative medical tourism market.
More than 155,000 people visited Mexicali Municipal, which includes Algodones, and spent about $16 million in medical tourism in
2010, COTUCO Director Omar Dipp said. This includes hotel stays, meals and more in addition to the medical procedures themselves.
Calexico Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Hildy Carrillo said that the promotion is positive for Calexico too as patients,
their families and friends will likely stay, eat or shop in Calexico while receiving medical services in Mexicali.
The entrance to the medical tourism lane is a few blocks from the border crossing and eventually feeds into the other lanes closer
to the Calexico West Port of Entry.
To enter, one must have a pass administered by one of the participating medical providers listed in a medical directory,
identification to enter the U.S., a receipt of expenses, and the vehicle must have U.S. plates or a logo from a participating
medical facility.
People can use the dedicated medical lane for something as small as purchasing medications or as significant as surgery as long as
they have the proper documents.
The medical lane is accessible 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday as well as 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
It cuts border crossing waiting time down and is monitored by tourist police 24 hours a day to prevent abuse.
Mexicali published a medical guide last fall with more than 155 participating doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. It’s the first
city in Mexico to do so, Dipp said.
