Guáimaro, Feb.—The commitment to preserving essential medical services in the current context is driving efforts in Guáimaro.
In response to the impact of recent measures by the United States government against Cuba, the General Health Directorate in the municipality is implementing a contingency plan, tailored to the specific characteristics of the area, with the aim of ensuring the sustainability of the sector’s basic services, says Dailin Gómez Guerra, head of the Medical Assistance department.
The management informs of the main measures adopted in response to the difficult energy situation:
- It has been determined, for the time being, to reduce the Medibus trips to the city of Camagüey to two weekly frequencies – Tuesdays and Thursdays – prioritizing oncology patients and those in the Maternal and Child Care Program (PAMI).
- Oncology patients who require daily radiation treatments or three times a week, when their treatment appointments do not coincide with the transportation days, will be admitted following prior coordination with the provincial hospitals.
- Regarding community outreach, based on specialist consultations conducted in the municipality, the frequency will be extended to six weeks.
- Laboratory tests, X-rays, and other complementary exams associated with prenatal care and prioritized programs will be conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Victoria de Girón Polyclinic, supported by the generator according to availability.
- The PAMI has the specialists required to continue its services, as well as transportation to Camagüey via the Medibus for ultrasound appointments scheduled on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Gómez Guerra further specifies that:
- Blood donations will be conducted at the municipal capital.
- Hemodialysis patients will be hospitalized for their care as long as the severe fuel shortages persist.
- The care of seriously ill patients will initially take place at the Armando Enrique Cardoso regional hospital in the locality. Depending on the diagnosis and the priority level of each case, they may be transferred to provincial hospitals in an ambulance from Camagüey.
- Arrangements will be made so that patients with medical appointments at hospitals in Havana, whose health condition requires urgent attention, can attend their consultations.
- The senior citizens' home and the elderly and maternal care facilities have the necessary resources for food and adequate assistance, as well as firewood and liquefied gas for cooking.
- Family doctors’ clinics will continue operating during the established hours, with an emphasis on home visits to bedridden patients and those needing special care.
- The voluntary interruption of pregnancy service provided by the polyclinic will be carried out only on Fridays, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., as long as electrical power and fuel permit.
- Dental emergencies will be attended from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.; outside these hours, coordination with the polyclinic director will be required to turn on the generator if necessary.
The provisions, of a temporary nature, will be continuously evaluated to ensure the proper functioning of the health system.
(Photo of the author)
