More than 4,400 seniors in Baja California have received free cataract surgeries as part of a state and national healthcare initiative aimed at restoring vision and independence.
The program, championed by Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, provides no-cost procedures to residents aged 60 and older who lack coverage through Mexico’s regular IMSS social security system.
“Regaining sight is transformative. It prevents falls, enhances safety, and allows our elders to live with greater autonomy and dignity. Improved vision directly boosts quality of life and daily independence for thousands,” the governor said.
The effort is aligned with the national “Ver por México” (Seeing for Mexico) campaign, spearheaded by President Claudia Sheinbaum. Through this partnership, an additional 200 surgeries were recently completed across Baja California.
Adrián Medina Amarillas, the state’s Minister of Health, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, which is reducing cataract-related blindness nationwide and expanding access to specialized eye care, especially for vulnerable populations.
Eligible residents can join the national program by registering online at cataratas.atdt.gob.mx.
For local assistance, information is available through regional phone lines:
- Mexicali & San Felipe: (686) 559 6406 ext. 1207
- Tijuana, Tecate & Playas de Rosarito: (664) 638 6759
- Ensenada & San Quintín: (646) 178 0823
Mobile Health Centers are also touring neighborhoods and remote communities to provide on-site diagnoses and refer candidates to the surgical program. Schedules for these mobile units are posted on the official social media channels of the Baja California Department of Health and the state government.
