I’ve had the opportunity to visit FBOs that range from simple to elaborate, having landed at over 900 airports. Some with cafes, others with hotels; I’ve even found a swimming pool for visiting aviators at one. Not until I visited Loreto (MMLT) in Baja Sur California, Mexico, one of the airports and FBOs I fly to regularly, have I found one with an Emergency and Urgent Care clinic inside the facility.
I’ve been traveling to Loreto since the 1990s, a beautiful area to visit, and in January of this year, Loreto Aviation Services opened a comprehensive Urgent Care and Emergency medical clinic within its FBO. Wherever you travel, there may be the need to obtain medical services, and when that travel takes you to remote areas, it can be a challenge to find care. The Baja peninsula is 700 nautical miles long, with no large communities in a significant portion of this beautiful area. There are medical professionals in these communities; however, the closest emergency medical facility to Loreto is San Jose Del Cabo, 200 nautical miles by air south. That equals a six-hour drive.
Loreto Aviation Services’ parent company also owns hotels and resorts in the Loreto area. With tourism growing there, they recognized the potential need to provide quality, advanced emergency and urgent medical care to the local community and visitors. Without a doubt, the availability of local medical services enhances the appeal of the area to some visitors.
They were not simply intent to build an impressive medical facility but also realized the need to provide an ambulance service as well. The ambulances are based at the airport and can serve a large portion of Baja.
They also recognized that cooperation with an established hospital is important and collaborated with St. Luke’s Hospital, located in San Jose Del Cabo, to operate the facility and the ambulance service. The association with the hospital allows patients with insurance, including many US and Canadian insurance providers, coverage for medical care. This gives additional peace of mind for people traveling to Baja, especially those without specific travel insurance.
I first visited the medical clinic in February when I stopped by the FBO. Juan Rangel Martinez, the executive director, and Horacio Rolon, the general manager, are friends who happily showed me around. I fly to Mexico frequently and was in Baja on a whale-watching adventure with Baja Bush Pilots (BBP) and had flown down from Mulege, another great spot, to get fuel for our Cessna T206.
This new medical facility is impressive. In addition to the resident physician, the staff includes an imaging technician, lab chemist, nurse and support staff.
They have two examination suites, an X-ray imaging room, a pharmacy, a lab, and offices in the clinic, just steps away from the FBO lobby area and the new café. With their ambulance service, they can be dispatched to other areas in Baja with a physician or nurse on board, in addition to the EMTs, and stabilize the patient on return to the Loreto clinic. When they need additional services beyond the capabilities there, their ambulances, including air ambulances, can be utilized to transport patients to St. Luke’s Hospital in San Jose Del Cabo.
Our family has been flying throughout Mexico for nearly forty years, and this new clinic offers extra comfort knowing that such advanced treatment options are now available in this region of Baja. It’s one more advantage to simplify a sometimes harrowing ordeal. This clinic is also a great way to show the value of airports to the local community.
Thanks for another great article Rich. You are a great ambassador for pilots that are considering flying in Mexico!