Have an elderly friend 95+ years who lives in Zihua.
He is having some issues with his eye sight. He has no dinero to go and see a private eye doctor in Zihua or Acapulco.

Years ago I heard about some Ophthalmologists, surgeons, doctors and nurses attached to a church from the U.S would travel to Zihua to perform free eye care, surgeries and many other procedures in Ixtapa Naval Clinic.

These appointments for eyes procedures were coordinated by the local DIF in Ixtapa.

The patients had to go over and present certain documents to be given an appointment when these doctors where in Zihua performing these various treatments, at no charge.

In this particular case my friend mentioned, personnel at DIF in Ixtapa told him, he needed some kind of heart test due to his age and the potential surgery he could undergo...

He went to a local doctor and did the required test.

Now, he is been told, to be able to see these doctors after bringing in his required paperwork, he has to pay $10,000 pesos.

Anyone have any idea as what is going on with this service when they used to be free of charge?

Thanks for any feedback on this issue.

You don't say who told him he has to pay $10,000, but that's what I was charged for my two cataract surgeries at the Instituto Estatal de Oftalmología in Acapulco. I believe that's where the DIF also sends its eye patients. I found using the DIF to be very unreliable. Instead, someone at the local Hospital General put me in touch directly with the institute in Acapulco.

I recommend your friend or his assistant contact the folks at Centro Visual Ixtapa. Their contact info is listed on my Medical Services page. I believe all he'll have to pay is $50.

Years ago I heard about some Ophthalmologists, surgeons, doctors and nurses attached to a church from the U.S would travel to Zihua to perform free eye care, surgeries and many other procedures in Ixtapa Naval Clinic.

These appointments for eyes procedures were coordinated by the local DIF in Ixtapa.

The patients had to go over and present certain documents to be given an appointment when these doctors where in Zihua performing these various treatments, at no charge.

In this particular case my friend mentioned, personnel at DIF in Ixtapa told him, he needed some kind of heart test due to his age and the potential surgery he could undergo...

He went to a local doctor and did the required test.

Now, he is been told, to be able to see these doctors after bringing in his required paperwork, he has to pay $10,000 pesos.

Anyone have any idea as what is going on with this service when they used to be free of charge?

Thanks for any feedback on this issue.