Clinic in Mexico Receives Medical Supplies
Diocesan Press Service. July 5, 1973 [73161]
SAN BARTOLO OZOCALPAN, Hidalgo, Mexico -- On Saturday, 9 June, the village of San Bartolo Ozocalpan, State of Hidalgo, received from the Mexican Episcopal Church $1,100 U.S. worth of medical supplies and furnishings for the first clinic to be constructed in the area. The presentation to the villagers was made by the Rt. Rev. Jose G. Saucedo, Bishop of Central and South Mexico, and Dr. Benigno Gomez, member of the Cuerpo Consejero. In his remarks, Bishop Saucedo said that this gift represented the commitment of the Church toward the joint efforts of the Federal Government, the community and the Church in helping the people of San Bartolo realize improved living conditions.
San Bartolo Ozocalpan, a community of some 3,000 persons, is located in one of the most arid parts of rural Mexico. Until 10 years ago it could only be reached by horseback and foot. Four years ago Mexico's rural electrification program brought power to the community, and last year the combined efforts of the federal, state and community governments resulted in the construction of an artesian well in the valley below the hilltop-located San Bartolo, bringing running water for the first time to the community. The Episcopal Church of San Bartolome, whose history goes back into the last century, has always supplied leadership to the village, and in 1972 it was responsible for the Diocesan Convention loan of $400 U.S. for the piping of this water into individual homes. (The sum was paid back at this year's convention.)
During the winter of 1973, the federal government, after studying some eight rural communities in Hidalgo, decided that San Bartolo contained those elements necessary for a concrete program of self-help. A team, consisting of a medical doctor, a veterinary, an agronomist and two social workers, is now working with the villagers towards improvements in medical and agricultural conditions. The team, in addition, is training local young men and women to assume responsibility in these fields. With the local economy based solely on maiz and frijol it is hoped that alternatives can be found including the introduction of cattle raising. With the federal government paying the salaries, the community has undertaken the responsibility of building the clinic (operating, recuperation and waiting rooms) and offices for the personnel. As its part in the community commitment, the local congregation has donated its sacristy, now being used as the Consultorio Medico, and has been instrumental in the acquisition of the land and building supplies for the clinic.
The gift of the medical supplies for the clinic was made by the Church through the action of the Cuerpo Consejero, using funds from the Social Action Program. This program has been able to increase its work in recent months in part because of the donation of $15,000 U.S. from the Ninth Province.