Cool weather didn’t stop the launch of Tijuana Saludable, a new municipal program that began issuing health-care ID cards on Friday to provide free basic medical services to residents across the city. Starting at 10 a.m., residents from neighborhoods including El Niño, Natura, Villafontana, El Refugio, and Delicias lined up to receive the card, which is intended to expand access to primary care and strengthen preventive health services.
Enrollment officially begins on Thursday, though the program itself is expected to start operating in late November or early December. By then, the city plans to inaugurate the first three of 11 clinics that will serve participating residents.
According to Tijuana Mayor Ismael Burgueño Ruíz, the goal is to enroll 30,000 people by December and reach 110,000 affiliates by 2026. Each registration can include up to three minor children.
The mayor emphasized that Tijuana Saludable is not a replacement for the public health-care system. Instead, it will function as a first-contact program offering medical screenings, basic consultations, and medications. It will not treat injuries, emergencies, or surgical cases. Its purpose, Burgueño said, is to complement—not substitute—existing services.
Key Details About “Tijuana Saludable”
Because the clinics are designed to serve residents without access to a vehicle, the city is prioritizing easily accessible locations. Most clinics are planned for Tijuana’s eastern region, where much of the population is concentrated. So far, confirmed clinic sites include:
- La Mesa
- Sánchez Taboada
- Rancho Las Flores (Playas de Tijuana)
Each clinic will be staffed with three physicians. The city expects to invest roughly 2.4 million pesos from now through December to get the first three clinics up and running. Officials say a firm timeline for reaching all 11 clinics will be available in 2026.
