Tri-National Health Board Comes Together

Representatives from Arizona, Sonora, and the Tohono O’odham Nation join efforts.

Through joint efforts working towards a healthier population, the Tri-National Health Board was recently put together in Puerto Peñasco, made up of Arizona, the Tohono O’odham National and Sonora.

For Mexico, members of this committee include Manuel Guillermo Flores Durazo as co-president Oscar Lopez Barraza as Vice President, and Noemi Valdez Castolo as Secretary. Andrew Lorentine from the U.S was designated as co-president while remaining appointments are yet to be made.

With the objective of once again taking up and strengthening efforts of cooperation in the area of health, representatives from Arizona, U.S, the Tohono O’odham National and Sonora, Mexico, participated in this gathering, which provided follow-up to the last tri-national meeting held in September.

Robert Guerrero, representative from the Arizona Health Department, stressed that this region is unique given the diversity of its communities.

Therefore, he explained, the principal objective is first to assure all members of this tri-national board meet in order to attain trust and the strengthening of coordinated efforts concerning health problems. He acknowledged the efforts that have been done towards once again taking up the tri-national cooperation in this area. While there are many that stretch between the communities of this region, there is confidence that favorable results will be achieved.

Andrew lorentine, representative for the Tohono O’odham Nation, underscored the principal challenges of this tri-national health committee are to clearly define the mission to follow, as well as communication and the sharing of information, because geographic distances are part of this challenge.

He called for an open mind as members of the Board in order to really progress towards resolving health problems that equally affect the area shared by Sonora, Arizona, and the indigenous nation.

Similarly, the Director of the local General Hospital, Manuel Guillermo Flores Durazo, stated his belief that in order to successfully achieve the objectives of this tri-national committee, constant collaboration and coordination is necessary from all those involved in the health area on both sides of the border.

During the session of the Tri-National Health Board, it was reported that in Puerto Peñasco the principal causes of death include heart disease, tuberculosis, malignant tumors, respiratory problems and liver disease, all areas where much of the efforts of this group need to be focused.

It was agreed during the gathering of Arizona, the Tohono O’odham Nation and Sonora to subsequently create sub-committees on specific care for shared problems, such as the AH1 N1 flu and others that represent serious health risks for residents of this region.