Municipal Intervention Leads to Hip Surgery for French Woman in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — A 76-year-old French woman who spent a month in a hospital here after breaking her hip has finally undergone surgery, following intervention by the municipal women’s institute.

Martine Ragné fractured her hip when she was knocked down by a dog leash while walking along Quinta Avenida a month ago. She has been hospitalized at the IMSS-Bienestar hospital since then, but surgery was delayed because she lacked a CURP (population registration code) or other documents needed to transfer her to a clinic with a specialist surgeon.

Idania Gamboa, head of the Playa del Carmen Women’s Institute, said her office learned of Ragné’s situation and contacted hospital directors to explain the case. The hospital then arranged for a specialist to perform the procedure.

“We are seeing what we can do for her. This is a woman who needs help, so we are making arrangements both for her surgery and, through the Foreign Relations Department, to try to replace her documents,” Gamboa said. “She is not alone; we will help her.”

Ragné, who originally lived in Mexico City, lost her documents and only has an expired passport. She cannot access her bank account and has no contact with relatives.

She is now recovering from surgery and is expected to be discharged soon. However, the French consulate has not yet contacted her to assist with the documents she needs to access her banking.

Several concerned citizens who have contacted the consulate in Mexico City or the honorary consul in Quintana Roo have received only refusals or excuses. Officials appear reluctant to intervene, reportedly fearing they might have to cover medical expenses.