Drs_ZaragozaAndAburtoAs people seeking options for retirement look to Rocky Point / Puerto Peñasco, the subject of health care invariably arises. For many years Unidad Médica Santa María, known in English as the Santa Maria Clinic, has provided excellent medical care, with specialists in general medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and surgery on the staff. The clinic, which is actually a small hospital, features doctor offices with treatment areas, birthing rooms, and a modern operating theater.

Santa Maria Clinic general medicine specialist Dr. Alvaro Aburto Castillo, well-known to many as “Dr. Al,” and board-certified surgeon Dr. Noé Zaragoza Arias joined forces to provide important services not previously available in Rocky Point / Puerto Peñasco.  Several years were required to implement their plan; Dr. Zaragoza returned to medical school to become board-certified in gastroenterology – matters of the digestive tract from mouth and stomach to elimination – while Dr. Aburto cared for their patients, and raised funds and organized the clinic to accommodate the most modern state-of-the-art brand-new equipment. 

Drs. Aburto and Zaragoza are now able to provide a complete spectrum of diagnostic services including endoscopy and colonoscopy, at very attractive prices. These diagnostic procedures are considered by many healthcare professionals to be part of routine well-patient care, but are often either not covered by health insurance, or the insurance co-pays are so expensive that many people forgo them due to cost. Endoscopy and/or colonoscopy may reveal such common afflictions as gastritis, ulcers, diverticulitis, colon polyps, early cancers, and internal hemorrhoids, to name a few, and occasionally reveal major life-threatening conditions. Dr. Zaragoza is able to treat many of the minor problems found during the diagnostic procedure, while others will require further treatment and surgery, which the team can also provide. 

Prices for all services at the Santa Maria Clinic are very reasonable, particularly when compared to prices in the USA, and bills can be paid in cash (dollars or pesos are accepted) or with major credit cards. On the horizon is a pre-paid medical package, which will provide defined services for a specified period of time, by contract; more information about this will be provided when the program is in place.

Did I mention that both Dr. Aburto and Dr. Zaragoza speak excellent English? The Santa Maria clinic accepts walk-in patients Monday through Friday between 9a.m. and 5p.m., and Saturday between 9a.m. and 1p.m. Just walk in and ask the receptionist for Dr. Aburto or Dr. Zaragoza. You may prefer to call 383-2440 (011-52-638-383-2440 from the USA) for an appointment. Receptionists speak only Spanish, and will transfer your call to one of the doctors, if available when you call. You may also email Dr. Aburto atDocAl81@hotmail.comor Dr. Zaragoza at Dr.NoeZarazoga@gmail.com.