‘I’m always watching’: A mother’s vigil in Mexico’s cancer system

Luisa used to work in a clothing store, but now looks after Juanito full-time while her husband, Ricardo Quintín, works as a delivery driver for a local auto parts shop, earning about 2,000 pesos ($112) a week. Each journey to Mexico City costs about 800 pesos ($45) in buses and taxis to and from the shelter, and then back home again.

Much of what Ricardo earns goes towa...