Competing Health Models in Mexico: An Ideological Dialogue between Indian and Hegemonic Views

Abstract

Models of health in Mexico emerge out of a conflictive interaction between two systems of knowledge and values: one from Western culture, considered superior and legitimate (by the majority), and an Indian one, regarded as inferior. The conflicts that arise from this ideological difference affect the success of public health programs directed to broad sectors of population with an indigenous culture. This gives rise to many problems in the treatment of Indian peoples, limiting their chances of a more adequate health system. This article focuses on how ideologies are negotiated between agents from the national hegemonic health system and the traditional healers, using as an example an interethnic health program developed in a mostly Indian municipality, Cuetzalan, in the Mexican state of Puebla. In this program intercultural interaction established a dialogue between the two health models, explicitly aiming to generate more adequate health programs for Indian communities. The attempt however was permeated by ideological resistance within an interethnic relationship framed by national and local interpretations of the value of indigenous knowledge.