Emergency medical bases of the Cuban Health Service

It was in 1998 when the then Minister of Public Health, José Ramon Balaguer (1932-2022), was one of the most important figures in the struggle to perfect the achievements of the Cuban Revolution, and was the architect of the creation of this medical body, whose support was instrumental in events like the one that took place Recently at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana.

The experts in this department of the Ministry of Public Health not only cover disasters and occasional events on the national territory, they have extended their expertise to several continents, they in turn are part of the Henry Reeve Brigade, founded by Cuban leader, Fidel Castro.

In particular, in the largest province of Cuba – 16 thousand square kilometers – there are three regional bases in the most populous municipalities: Guimaro, Florida and Noevitas, as well as the regional capital.

According to the statements made by César de Varona, head of the emergency and emergency department in Camaguey, “the regional rules allowed for greater care coverage, access as soon as possible to accidents, as well as a more specialized and prepared staff.”

Despite the enormous difficulties and limitations caused by the effects of the US embargo on Cuba, “our commitment is not diminishing and we are making multiple efforts to repair the ambulance fleet, because the goal is humanitarian, and that is why we are not doing it. Spare no effort,” the doctor said.

On a similar date 25 years ago, José Ramon Balaguer gave a boost by creating regional emergency bases in each of Cuba’s provinces.

On July 15, at the age of 90, a person stood out with his sensitivity, ideological unity, and iron discipline, honing his character in student demonstrations and strikes after the March 10, 1952 coup, and later incorporating him as guerrilla and doctor in the 19th column of Frank Pace II’s Eastern Front.

JCM / FAM