By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
This year’s Border Bi-national Health Week was celebrated with a health fair offering free-of-charge medical examinations.
The National Kidney Foundation Bi-national Health Fair was a free event presented by the Consulate of Mexico in Del Rio and Ventanilla de Salud. This health fair gave free tests and screenings for kidneys, eye sight, glucose, high blood pressure, IBM, HIV, Covid and Influenza vaccines.
All these medical examinations and vaccinations were contributed by the joint work within Cotrina (Trinational Health Council), which is constituted by the Consulate of Mexico in Del Rio, The Consulate of Guatemala in Del Rio, and the City of Del Rio.
At the Oct. 10 Del Rio City Council Meeting, Mayor Al Arreola declared the week of Oct. 2 through Oct. 6, 2023, as Border Bi-national Health Week.
Arreola presented the proclamation at the city council meeting along with members of the Consulate of Mexico in Del Rio.
Arreola said he had the honor of presenting the proclamation, as it helps Del Rio bond with the sister city of Ciudad Acuna.
Arreola read the following proclamation:
“Whereas, the border region, defined as 100 km north and south of the international boundary between the United States and Mexico, is one of the most dynamic border regions in the world, and
“Whereas, pathogens cannot be stopped at a border crossing, and poverty migration combine to create a fertile environment for the spread of disease; and
“Whereas, the sister communities of the United States-Mexico border are united by economic, cultural, social and family links and share a lengthy history of bi-national collaboration, including public health; and
“Whereas, the border region faces significant and unusual health challenges which require bi-national collaboration, coordination, communication, and community participation; and
“Whereas, the goal of Border Bi-national Health Week is to advance implementations of the Healthy Border 2023 Program, by encouraging and creating sustainable behavioral practices, organizational relationships, and community structures to improve health status and eliminate disparities; and
“Whereas, the City of Del Rio recognizes the value of working collaboratively between the two nations and ten border states towards the improvement of health and living conditions of over 12 million people living in the United States-Mexico border communities.
“Now, Therefore, I Alvaro Arreola, as Mayor of the City of Del Rio Texas, do hereby proclaim the week of October 2nd-October 6th 2023 as “Border Bi-National Health Week.”
Paloma Villasenor, head of the Consulate of Mexico in Del Rio, thanked Arreola for the recognition and said this was “an effort made by a lot of people” from Del Rio and Mexico. Villasenor mentioned the health fair event and said to invite your families and friends to attend.
“This is going to be one of our best events for the whole month,” Villasenor said. “What we want is our region to be healthy. This is not just about Del Rio; this is not only about Acuna. We are sister cities, and if we are together in things like health, we will grow and be healthy together,” Villasenor said.
Arreola added by saying how it is important for the Del Rio community to support this event.
“Our community needs to get out there. These ladies take their time to be at the civic center, and it’s all free; there is no charge. I test myself and I go there to check on blood pressure. This is the time for citizens to come out; they can’t be waiting for us,”
“I think you all do a wonderful job. I been there when you were at the civic center. We just need more participation from our citizens. Don’t stay home; it’s time to come out and get yourself checked. That is your message from the Mayor,” Arreola said.
