Greetings to Fidel at the conclusion of the Third Congress of Family Medicine in Cuba

Recalling the historic leader of the revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, as the initiator of a vital program in our country, the Third Congress of Family Medicine closed its doors in Havana, with in-depth assessments on primary health care.

It is necessary to talk here about the Commander-in-Chief and his vision of what health personnel represent, which he expressed when he combined the feeling of gratitude that our entire people have for these great innovators in tremendous social work.

First Deputy Minister of Health, Tania Margarita Cruz Hernandez

During his speech, he recalled Fidel’s phrase in which he emphasized: “The most important thing is your complete dedication to the noblest and most humane professions: saving lives and preserving health. More than doctors, they will be jealous guardians of what is precious in man;” he added: “Messengers and creators of a world “More humane.”

With this in mind, the status of honorary member of the Cuban Society of Family Medicine was specially granted to 13 prominent professionals, among them the rebel army commander José Ramón Machado Ventura and the Minister of Health Dr. José Ángel Portal Miranda.
Recognizing the fundamentals of yesterday and today in primary health care in the Greater Antilles.

Later, Cruz Hernández conveyed in a special way to the family doctors and nurses, and to all the professionals, technicians and health workers who work at the first level of care in the country, “the highest appreciation for fighting every day the battle for the health of our people.

In this sense, the First Deputy Sector highlighted the commitment and efforts of those who contribute to societies in confronting emerging and emerging diseases, and who influenced the lessons learned in managing Covid-19.

Regarding this latest case, he explained, “The professionals, technicians and students were brave heroes, increasing in investigations in neighborhoods, in isolation centers, in laboratories, in red zones, in our intensive treatments and in vaccination centers.” And there, at the forefront, was the health sector.

He stressed that “the integrity shown by our health staff at this stage is worthy of admiration and fills us with deep pride.”

Beautiful words from the participants of the Third Family Medicine Congress, who highlighted the imprint of this sensitive program established in 1984 on the island, when addressing the current and future challenges of primary care within the Sustainable Development Goals and the National Economic Plan for Economy. and social development until 2030.

An activity that marked the culmination of productive days at the Palace of Congresses in Havana, according to Iloge Casanova Barreto, National Director of Primary Health Care at MINSAP.

This event represents a commitment to improving the Cuban health system in the context of the 40th anniversary of the revolutionary and glorified Family Physician and Nurse Programme, launched by Fidel, as the director, catalyst and promoter of its wise founding ideas.

toIloge Casanova Barreto, National Director of Primary Health Care at MINSAP

Regarding the importance of the event, he said that it “undoubtedly constitutes a decisive step to recognize workers in the sector, especially family doctors and nurses, who raise the banner of forty years of achievements, challenges and family medicine in Cuba.” He praised the work of two outstanding clinic directors and recognized initiators of the programme: Dr. Cosme Ordóñez Carceller and Dr. Jorge Rodríguez Abril, both pioneers of this activity.

In the presence of 772 delegates from all provinces, the days were marked by an intense exchange of views with representatives from other countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Paraguay, Colombia, Mexico, Barbados, Antigua, Barbuda, Peru, Argentina, Spain and the United States of America.

The 3rd Family Medicine Congress served as a framework for presenting three keynote lectures and 39 conferences, five of which were virtual. In addition, 11 symposia, 25 national and international expert panels and roundtable meetings were held on improving the family physician and nurse program.

The event concluded with the convocation of the 4th Family Medicine Congresswhich has shown the commitment to continue contributing from the first level of care to the health of our people, always with humanity and high sensitivity to the well-being of the population.