Mexico City Inaugurates The First Public Veterinary Hospital
Today we are talking about an event that concerns Mexican animals. The first public veterinary hospital has recently opened in Mexico City. The institution, which will provide medical care, sterilization, vaccines and preventive care – for some low-cost practices – is able to receive 150 patients per day.
A public veterinary hospital with many functions
The animal health center is located in populous Iztapalapa, one of Mexico City’s 16 delegations. It is estimated that around 300,000 dogs live here alone, 30% of these, unfortunately, on the street. Local administrators have therefore planned a campaign to sterilize stray dogs, which will be carried out at the new hospital.
Health, through this initiative, also seeks to:
- To transmit the culture of respect and animal welfare to citizens.
- Limit the transmission of contagious diseases.
- Conduct veterinary medicine and public health research.
- Offer doctors a center of excellence for specialization in veterinary medicine.
The new veterinary hospital
In addition to vaccination and sterilization services, the hospital offers:
- Pesticide treatments
- Radiology and ultrasound examinations
- Endoscopy examinations
- General and specialist surgery
- Hospitalization
- Veterinary pharmacy
- Clinical laboratories
The Animal Health Center includes:
- 12 clinics
- 5 surgical rooms
- 120 cages for emergencies and hospitalization
- 6 outpatient areas
Other initiatives for the health of people and animals
In addition to the opening of the new hospital, the administrators of Mexico City are planning other initiatives in the context of the citizen-animal relationship.
The “Sé un Dueño Responsable” campaign (Be responsible bosses) included, among other things, the distribution of bags in 200 public parks. The aim was to encourage the collection of excrement left by dogs.
A team of veterinarians will also join the “Doctor at your home” program. A home visit service will be offered for pets which, for whatever reason, cannot be transported to the new hospital.
Some data on the construction of the new veterinary hospital
60 million Mexican pesos (almost 3 million euros) were invested in the construction of the structure and 37 million pesos (one million and 700 thousand euros) in equipment. It is the first veterinary hospital with the latest technology.
Reinforced polymer-based building materials were used for the building structure. This system resulted in 30% cost savings and reduced construction time.
And, finally, the building is equipped with photovoltaic and solar panels for heating and lighting. As it should be, the project of the new public hospital also took into account the environmental impact.
The project to build a second veterinary hospital
The Mexico City administration is planning to open a second veterinary hospital as soon as possible. Another great news for the many dogs and cats that live in this big city.
Meanwhile, the Iztapalapa Animal Health Center had a great baptism of fire on its first day of operation – it saved Cristal’s life. The dog was pregnant, but she had to be operated on urgently because unfortunately her puppies had died before they were born.
Certainly a good start for this public structure able to give assistance to families with few economic means and, above all, to stray animals that roam the streets of the city.
