Oasis Of Hope: A Hospital For Alternative Cancer Treatment

The Oasis of Hope Hospital is a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, providing alternative cancer treatments. The hospital was founded in 1963 by Dr. Ernesto Contreras and has since treated over 100,000 patients from 60 nations. It is equipped with an intensive care unit and provides a range of general surgical, orthopaedic, and cancer services. The hospital has been described as dubious by some, but many patients have praised the care and attention they received during their treatment.

Location and history

Oasis of Hope Hospital is a full medical-surgical facility with an intensive care unit located in Tijuana, Mexico. It is situated 22 miles south of San Diego, just over the US-Mexico border, and a short drive from San Diego International Airport. The hospital is also within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean and offers views of the Coronado Islands and downtown San Diego, California.

The hospital was founded in 1963 by Dr. Ernesto Contreras, a physician who oversaw its expansion to accommodate customers from the United States. Since its founding, the hospital has treated over 100,000 patients from 60 nations, providing alternative cancer treatments and championing the immune system's healing power over cancer. The hospital has been characterized as "dubious" by some, as its methods are generally discouraged by conventional medical science. However, it has also been recognized as one of the top body, mind, and spirit medical centers in the world.

Following Ernesto Contreras' death in 2003, management of the hospital passed to his son, Francisco Contreras, and his nephew, Daniel Kennedy. Francisco Contreras is a renowned oncologist and surgeon who has discussed alternative cancer treatments on CNN and been interviewed by MSNBC.

In addition to cancer treatments, the hospital offers a range of other services, including general surgery, orthopedic procedures, and bariatric surgery. The hospital provides concierge-level personalized care and includes pastors as part of its staff to provide spiritual support and services for patients.

Facilities and amenities

The Oasis of Hope Hospital is a full medical-surgical facility equipped with an intensive care unit to provide care for patients at any level of care required. The hospital accepts a maximum of thirty patients per month to deliver a personalised level of care. It is located just two blocks away from the Pacific Ocean and has beautiful views of the Coronado Islands to the west, and downtown San Diego, California, to the north.

The hospital offers a full range of facilities with around 60 patient rooms. It has been certified by the American Hospital Association since 1991. The rooms are described as spacious and comfortable, and the hospital also has common spaces and a dining area. Patients can also enjoy a variety of classes, group sessions, and physical activities.

Oasis of Hope provides a range of general surgical, orthopaedic, and bariatric surgery services, as well as cancer services. The hospital offers alternative cancer-focused care and weight loss procedures, both permanent and temporary. Since the 1960s, Oasis of Hope has treated its patients with amygalin, also known as laetrile, which is ineffective and dangerously toxic. The hospital also provides metabolic therapy, made up of four steps: detoxification, a restrictive low-fat, low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet, the use of megavitamin therapy, shark cartilage, thymus and levamisole, and the use of amygdalin extracted from apricot seeds.

The hospital employs traditional medical staff such as oncologists, hematologists, internists, radiologists, nutritionists, and nurses, as well as counselors, and pastors to help treat patients holistically as well as medically.

Treatments and therapies

Oasis of Hope Hospital is a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, that provides alternative cancer treatments. It was founded by Dr Ernesto Contreras in 1963 and has treated over 100,000 patients from 60 nations. The hospital offers a range of treatment options to local and international patients, including alternative cancer-focused care, bariatric surgery, and weight loss procedures.

Oasis of Hope Hospital offers a wide range of treatments and therapies, including:

• Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts the immune system to fight off cancer.
• Targeted therapies: These treatments focus on killing cancer cells directly while minimising the risk to healthy cells.
• Gene-based treatments: These innovative approaches use the latest advancements in medical research to provide effective and personalised treatment options.
• Metabolic therapy: This is a four-step process that includes detoxification, a restrictive low-fat, low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet, the use of megavitamin therapy, shark cartilage, thymus and levamisole, and the use of amygdalin (or laetrile) extracted from apricot seeds.
• Nutraceuticals and therapies: These treatments aim to slow tumour growth, suppress angiogenesis, support the immune system, prevent metastasis, and prevent cachexia.
• Lifestyle modifications: Oasis of Hope provides education sessions and follow-up visits to help patients adopt healthier lifestyles and ensure long-term success.
• Holistic therapies: These treatments take into account the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of patients, combining alternative and conventional treatments for a personalised plan.
• Home care treatment: A program designed for continued recovery with constant support from medical staff, including education on how to live a healthy life and continue therapy at home.

The hospital also provides general surgical, orthopaedic, and bariatric surgery services, with a skilled and knowledgeable team offering procedures such as gastric bands, gastric bypass, intragastric balloons, and sleeve gastrectomies.

Staff and personnel

Oasis of Hope Hospital is a full medical-surgical facility in Tijuana, Mexico, with an intensive care unit that provides care for patients at any level of care required. The hospital was founded in 1963 by Dr. Ernesto Contreras and has since treated over 100,000 patients from 60 nations. It is recognised as one of the top body, mind, and spirit medical centres in the world.

The hospital employs traditional medical staff as well as counsellors, nutritionists, and pastors to help treat patients holistically as well as medically. The staff includes oncologists, hematologists, internists, radiologists, nutritionists, nurses, a psychologist, and pastors.

Oasis of Hope Hospital offers a range of treatment options, including alternative cancer-focused care, bariatric surgery, and weight loss procedures. They also provide general surgery, orthopaedic services, and metabolic therapy. Their approach to cancer treatment focuses on the patient, providing resources to the body, mind, and spirit, and leveraging the metabolic traits of cancerous cells to undermine a tumour’s strength.

The hospital has received mixed reviews, with some patients praising the attentive and efficient staff and others expressing concerns about the effectiveness and safety of their treatments. Some organisations, like Cancer Research UK, have stated that there is "no scientific or medical evidence" to support the claims made by the hospital.

Patient experiences

Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana, Mexico, is an alternative cancer treatment centre that has treated over 100,000 patients from 60 nations since its founding in 1963. The hospital offers a full range of facilities with around 60 patient rooms and has been certified by the American Hospital Association since 1991. It was founded by Dr Ernesto Contreras, and since then it has been run by his son, Francisco Contreras, and his nephew, Daniel Kennedy.

The hospital offers a range of treatment options to local and international patients, including alternative cancer-focused care and bariatric surgery/weight loss procedures. The hospital's bariatric services include gastric bands, gastric bypass, intragastric balloons, and sleeve gastrectomies. The hospital also offers general surgery and orthopaedic services.

Some patients have reported positive experiences at the hospital, praising the kindness and attentiveness of the staff. One patient described their experience as "life-changing" and appreciated the clear program and directions provided before and after surgery. Another patient felt "protected and well cared for" and enjoyed the spiritual treatment they received in the community treatment room. Some patients have also appreciated the convenience of the hospital's location, just over the US-Mexico border and a short drive from San Diego International Airport.

However, not all patient experiences have been positive. One patient reported a negative experience, feeling that the hospital made no efforts to follow up after their treatment. This patient also raised concerns about the survival rate of patients at the hospital. Additionally, some organisations, such as Cancer Research UK and Quackwatch, have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the treatments offered by the hospital, characterising it as a "dubious cancer clinic".

Despite these mixed reviews, Oasis of Hope Hospital remains a popular destination for patients seeking alternative cancer treatments and bariatric surgery, particularly from North America, due to the significant cost savings.

Frequently asked questions