Tijuana, March 10.- Since abortion was allowed in Baja California in October 2021, around 250 women have sought medical abortions at just one private clinic in Mexicali, while private institutions have seen around thirty requests and only 14 procedures during the same period. Dr. Omar García, from the Médica Center Fem clinic, explained that of the women treated, "a large number come from Tijuana; we have scheduled them in Mexicali because we don't yet have clinics in Tijuana... a large number of patients come from Tijuana, Rosarito, Sonora, and Calexico, but not because it seems to be allowed."
On the other hand, although the Baja California health sector has indicated that it is the government's obligation to provide women who request it in public maternal health hospitals with the option of safely and free of charge terminating their pregnancies, so far, from October to the present, 30 requests have been registered in the state, and only 14 medical abortions have been performed.
A significant number of doctors at public hospitals refuse to perform curettage due to conscientious objection, under the medical oath to protect life; they cannot be forced to do so, said the director of Tijuana General Hospital, Clemente Zúñiga Gil, who recommended that women who have decided to terminate their pregnancies not put themselves at risk.
"I would tell every woman not to try anything at home that could endanger her life; go to health institutions for better, individualized guidance. If she wants to terminate her pregnancy within the framework of the law, go ahead; it's her right."
