By
Dr. Eduardo Herrera.*
Most state workers in Cuba
have the need, in a personal capacity, getting the tools, material and to
determine the places where they work. Public health has not escaped this
phenomenon.
Doctors, nurses and many
health technicians have to grab some materials to work comfortably and try to
avoid complications in patients they serve. Grabbing instruments and medicines
needed in their daily work.
 |
| Dr Eduardo Herrera. |
"Ensuring sutures,
catheters, instruments or any other team gives us work with less stress,"
pose a group of my surgical colleagues. This would have serious consequences
that surprised performing these practices, as they could be expelled from the
centers and go to prison.
Notwithstanding the
measures taken by the government and not allowed to have materials and instruments
in personal lockers for workers, these manage to violate the laws.
Many feel they must ensure
their work with patients while some take advantage of gaps to get some gains to
alleviate the low wages earned. To at least buy food, clothes and shoes.
The situation is not as
simple as it seems, as were the staff, especially doctors myself included. We
face problems with patients about the limited possibilities to solve your
health problem due to lack of resources. Which we would have to pay in case of
a complaint, in a fatal outcome.
The leader in the country,
do not present the situation and the shortcomings we suffer, when to punish.
The conditions not only work but also of life. They are not taken into account
when requiring.
Today we see a surgeon,
after taking a crowded bus and traveling for some hours, have to operate a case
without taking into account as then finds the stress suffered during the trip.
He is considering whether breakfast, because their salary reaches him badly to
eat.
The health personnel in
Cuba are exposed to these and other difficulties to overcome them are just a
way out of mission or collaboration. Reason why the Cuban doctors are always
ready to participate in any contingency.
Only then would better
working conditions for a while. Earn a little more, have a chance to buy a car
or a house, otherwise the government granting it.
As to enjoy their work in
other countries, although they supposedly poorest, will provide more opportunities
at work and in their lives.
*Doctor Herrera is a specialist in General Surgery and works
at the University Hospital "Calixto Garcia" in Havana , Cuba where he also
resides. Collaborates with the website of Cuban issues ,Hablemos Press.
