Develop a federal agreement between Mexico and the United States to allow for public health, epidemiological information, medical supplies and equipment to be transferred across the border for tuberculosis control.

Laredo, like other border communities, has developed models of excellence and best practices in several core public health services. Only in this manner has the City been able to protect against serious diseases, such as tuberculosis, dengue fever, Hepatitis A, diarrhea and typhoid, which at one time, plagued the community. Unfortunately, Laredo continues to be measured by national standards; yet, for Laredo, a binational community that grows two fold day by day, it is essential to be viewed for its evident growth and the international significance of that growth, especially as it relates to security and public health protection. When Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Laredo’s sister city across the river, coughs, Laredo gets the cold and vice versa. That is why this area is known as Los Dos Laredos.

Tuberculosis remains an important public health concern along the border. In fact, Laredo ranks 7th in the State of Texas with the highest rate of tuberculosis. Many of these patients are multi-drug resistant patients and Mexican citizens who belong to the Binational CDC funded project that prevents exposure of TB through direct intervention and treatment through the services of the City of Laredo staff that cross medication and supplies into Nuevo Laredo on a weekly basis. After 20 years, the project has become well established, but the challenge is to develop yearly formal agreements, especially with each new change in the Mexican government. This causes problems with the exchange of medications, supplies and testing. Finally, even with local agreements, the change in government at times does not honor the agreement and the safety of staff can be threatened.

 

With the support of EWIDS and other binational efforts to detect and monitor for early intervention, we must develop formal agreements between both countries with a permanent agreement that allows for the free, efficient and permanent authority to cross TB and other infectious disease medication, supplies and diagnostic equipment. The City of Laredo has a prototype agreement that can be offered as a sample.

No formal agreement has been reached, making this a challenge for treatment and diagnostics. The financial impact for a tuberculosis outbreak is astronomical.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Homeland Security
• US Mexico Border Health Commission (USMBHC)
• International Office – Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)