Juarez works to shed violent image as it transforms into medical tourism destination

Antonio Suarez believes Ciudad Juarez has untapped potential.

As the commercial director of Juarez’s Medical Tourism Cluster, he’s quick to deflect criticism of the city’s violent, turbulent past.

“Give us a chance to get rid of your doubts,” he said in Spanish. “The violence is between the gangs. It’s like other cities on the border, or even Chicago.”

Suarez knows overcoming the city’s violent stigma is a major obstacle, but he knows the city has a lot to offer, especially for those looking for affordable health care.

The medical tourism cluster was launched in 2015. It recommends physicians from federal government-certified hospitals. It also list dentists and ophthalmologists on its website.

“We list the quality doctors,” Suarez said. “If you go with anyone else, it’s at your own risk.”

Rio Grande Dental is nuzzled just across the border from Central El Paso in Juarez. It’s not listed on the medical tourism cluster’s website. But, dentist Jessica Nitardy said her clinic has served more than 8,000 patients. The vast majority of them are American.

“We even take American insurance here, so you pay less,” Nitardy said. “(We see patients) from Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, New York. They come from everywhere.”

Archie Tew lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico and has visited the clinic multiple times.

“I had major work done and I had all my teeth crowned, because I have British teeth,” Tew said. “It’s a no-brainer. It’s so expensive in the States.”

Anthony Allen is also a long-time patient at the clinic. He said even with dental insurance in the United States, it was still cheaper for him to get work done in Juarez.

“Anytime I can save $20,000 or $30,000 just by waking up a couple of hours earlier, I’ll do that. No problem,” Allen said.

Rio Grande Dental provides a free shuttle service for patients. They’re picked up at their hotel in El Paso, and driven across to Juarez.

Allen said this makes them feel safe.

“Given that it’s so close to the border, there doesn’t seem to be any issue,” Allen said. “We don’t really spend time on the streets, we just spent time in the van.”

The violence in Ciudad Juarez has ramped up over the past two years. The State Department has issued a travel warning for Chihuahua citing widespread violent crime and gang activity.

“It affected the business of course because people heard think they’re going come here they’re going to get kidnapped or or they’re going to steal from them,” Nitardy said. “Nothing like that happens. I am a citizen of the United States so I live there, but I work here so I come all the time. I bring my family.”

For more information on what to look out for when considering choosing a doctor from a different country, you can check out these tips from the State Department.