Baja California’s Secretary of Health launched its second mega cataract surgery drive in Mexicali this week, aiming to restore sight for up to 200 elderly patients through free procedures and prescription lens fittings.
Health Secretary Adrián Medina Amarillas said the state program completed 1,451 surgeries in 2025 and has already performed 565 so far in 2026. This week’s event at Mexicali’s Ambulatory Surgery Unit is expected to push that number well beyond 700.
How the Program Works
The free cataract surgeries are available to elderly residents across all of Baja California, not just Mexicali. The state program covers the entire process: registration, medical evaluation, the surgical procedure itself, and follow-up ophthalmological care. Patients also receive prescription lenses at no cost.
Officials from the state health department, the Mexicali Ambulatory Surgery Unit, and the Mexicali Health Services District participated in the launch. Beneficiaries of the program were also present at the opening event on May 21.
Federal Support Through ‘Ver por México’
The state effort is backed by the federal “Ver por México” (See for Mexico) initiative, launched by President Claudia Sheinbaum in January 2025. That national program targets citizens over 60 and aims to reduce cataract-related blindness across the country. Cataracts account for 34% of blindness cases in Mexico, affecting roughly 760,000 people, with about 47,000 new cases diagnosed each year. One in three patients cannot afford surgery on their own.
How to Register
Interested residents can visit their nearest public health clinic to register. Dedicated phone lines are also available by region:
Mexicali: 686-557-1476, 686-559-6407, or 686-556-0807 ext. 1207.
Tijuana, Tecate, and Rosarito residents, as well as those in Ensenada and San Quintín, can call their local health services office for details.
The program is open to permanent residents who meet the age requirement. Those who qualify can also register through the federal portal at cataratas.atdt.gob.mx.
Originally reported by El Imparcial and The Baja Post.