Emergency Health Care
Now that I'm older, what does one do if they have a medical emergency? I spent time in Zihua from 1988 to 2005 but haven't been back for various reasons but miss it very much. The best place to vacation in my mind. Loved everything about it. In a past post Rob you suggested not visiting Zihua if you have any health concerns. While I don't have current medical problems. If, let's say one has an MI, stroke or is in a major car accident with multiple injuries, is their a hospital/medical center that can successfully treat this like in the US or other western countries that have updated medical treatment guidelines?
Emergency Health Care
by Talley Ho 
, Playa la Ropa, Monday, January 19, 2026, 11:06 (237 days ago) @ Vermont123
We have been here 9 years now, full time, and have some of the same questions that you have.
We would love to know more, but here is where we are now. An ambulance here is just that. A way to get you to medical care. They are not paramedics. Call the bomberos or Red Cross. Having a car, we would consider driving to a medical facility.
Our medical center of choice is Hospital Especialidades. Maybe not the best choice, we are open to suggestions.
Serious things, broken hips, strokes, you need to get to possibly Uruapan, for sure Morelia or Mexico City. Hopefully referred by the medical community here.
Strokes scare us, and we hope, but don't know that there are facilities for rehab in either Morelia or Mexico City. Get there fast and hope for the best.
We are self insured and prepared to take on the expense of whatever is necessary. Going back to the US is not an option.
Looking forward to input from people who know more.
Emergency Health Care
by Oeste Hermoso , Zihuatanejo, Monday, January 19, 2026, 11:36 (237 days ago) @ Talley Ho
I went to Hospital Especialidades twice last year and received good care; first for a small stroke and second for a fractured humorous.
Emergency Health Care
by Talley Ho , Playa la Ropa, Monday, January 19, 2026, 11:48 (237 days ago) @ Oeste Hermoso
We have used them for a wasp sting, scorpion sting and hernia surgery. We have been very happy, but don't know if there is a better option for emergencies and general surgical care.
Emergency Health Care
by Casa Juan , Monday, January 19, 2026, 13:30 (237 days ago) @ Talley Ho
somewhat related I am looking for a fax machine in Zihua that I can use to send some medical rec0rds from here to USA as in that country's warped medical system, faxed records are considered more"secure" than emailed records.
It appears that most of Zihua threw away their fax machines at the turn of this century.
I wonder how many people have died as a result of HIPPA restrictions?
Emergency Health Care
by Timmac , Steilacoom, WA, Monday, January 19, 2026, 13:36 (237 days ago) @ Casa Juan
Most multi-function printers/scanners will act as fax machines if you connect them to a telephone line.
Emergency Health Care
by Talley Ho , Playa la Ropa, Monday, January 19, 2026, 13:43 (237 days ago) @ Casa Juan
FAX machines are no longer here in Zihuatanejo. Check out the online FAX sites. Don't remember which one I have used, but it was easy and inexpensive.
Emergency Health Care
by ZihuaRob 
, Zihuatanejo, México, Monday, January 19, 2026, 13:54 (237 days ago) @ Casa Juan
somewhat related I am looking for a fax machine in Zihua that I can use to send some medical rec0rds from here to USA as in that country's warped medical system, faxed records are considered more"secure" than emailed records.
It appears that most of Zihua threw away their fax machines at the turn of this century.
I wonder how many people have died as a result of HIPPA restrictions?
Here's what I used for years until I bought a scanner that has fax. It used to be Hello Fax, but Dropbox acquired it, though it still shares the same domain name and accounts. If you use my invitation, we both get some free pages.
https://app.hellofax.com?ref=31e156e6&s=F&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebooktwitter&utm_campaign=hellofax-incentivized-post&...
Emergency Health Care
by Casa Juan , Monday, January 19, 2026, 14:26 (237 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
Thank you for the responses.
Emergency Health Care
by Timmac , Steilacoom, WA, Monday, January 19, 2026, 13:34 (237 days ago) @ Vermont123
Should you have an MI, a stroke, or multiple trauma you will likely die. There is no cardiac cath lab. There is no functioning trauma system. Without proper neurosurgical back up administering the “clot busting” drugs used in stroke would be risky. Paramedics don’t exist. Prehospital medications aren’t given. Prehospital monitoring doesn’t exist. The nearest hospitals with the capacity to treat any of these are hours away. (FWIW, I’m a retired Emergency Doc)
Emergency Health Care
by ZihuaRob , Zihuatanejo, México, Monday, January 19, 2026, 13:55 (237 days ago) @ Timmac
Should you have an MI, a stroke, or multiple trauma you will likely die. There is no cardiac cath lab. There is no functioning trauma system. Without proper neurosurgical back up administering the “clot busting” drugs used in stroke would be risky. Paramedics don’t exist. Prehospital medications aren’t given. Prehospital monitoring doesn’t exist. The nearest hospitals with the capacity to treat any of these are hours away. (FWIW, I’m a retired Emergency Doc)
Yep, I'm prepared to die right here with an ear-to-ear grin on my face!
Emergency Health Care
by Talley Ho , Playa la Ropa, Monday, January 19, 2026, 14:36 (237 days ago) @ ZihuaRob
That is exactly our attitude.
Emergency Health Care
by Timmac , Steilacoom, WA, Monday, January 19, 2026, 15:14 (237 days ago) @ Talley Ho
Both you guys and Rob have made educated decisions with full knowledge of the existing medical system. I think vacationers (me included) don’t fully consider medical issues when we travel. Now that I am more “seasoned,” it is a part of my decision making.
