Since the establishment of the Chiapas Paediatric Specialities Hospital, acute leukaemia has been the main cause of egress, highlighting the high proportion of indigenous patients. This qualitative research builds on the critical medical anthropology approach and uses the concept of therapeutic pathways to analyse some issues that affected delayed detection and access to treatment for indigenous children: (1) the lack of specificity of the signs and symptoms of leukaemia prevents first-level care therapists from timely diagnosis and referral, (2) remoteness from medical care centres, (3) economic problems and (4) lack of robust family support networks. However, the active role of caregivers continues to encourage the search for answers and solutions, which may find the right attention.