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This Saturday, the death of Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti was confirmed, following a heart attack. He was a Cuban doctor serving as the health director in the municipality of Carrizal, located in the state of Miranda, Venezuela.
According to information from local media, Dupré had spent the last years of his life providing medical care in the South American country as part of the collaboration program between Cuba and Venezuela.
Since 2021, he served as the Health Director for the Carrizal municipality. "With great sorrow and sadness, I inform you that today, Saturday, January 4th, our friend and coworker, Jorge Luis Dupré, who held the position of Health Director for the municipality, has passed away," stated Mayor José Morales.
Dupré arrived in Venezuela in 2003. According to Diario Avance, since that year, he consolidated his career at a clinic near the Municipal Market of El Paso, "where he used to go on Sundays to do his shopping and greet friends."
In an interview published by the same media outlet last year, Dupré stated, “Where you are treated well, that is your home. Your birthplace does not necessarily bind you; it is where you are valued as a person and a professional, and that is how I have felt in this country.”
His passing has caused shock among his colleagues and the residents of the municipality, who have expressed their gratitude and respect for his work.
Local leader José Luis Rodríguez also joined in expressing his condolences. In a statement on Facebook, Rodríguez stated: "I mourn the sad departure of our colleague Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti, a distinguished physician, neighbor, and public servant in the Altos Mirandinos. To his family and friends, we extend our heartfelt words of condolence for this irreplaceable loss."
"We join in mourning with the family of the Beata Madre Carmen Rendiles Ambulatory for the passing of the honorable Dr. Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti, who served as the Health Director of the Carrizal Municipality," they wrote in the Facebook group "Gente Carrizal."
The participation of Cuban doctors in international missions in Venezuela has been marked by tragedies and challenges that have claimed the lives of several professionals.
In May 2021, reports surfaced regarding several suicides of Cuban doctors in Venezuela, as well as deaths from curable diseases.
These professionals faced challenging work conditions, constant stress, and poor nutrition, exacerbated by the economic crisis and hyperinflation in the South American country.
Another notable case occurred in June 2023, when a young Cuban doctor passed away after returning from her mission in Venezuela.
During her stay, she was stung by an insect that triggered a fatal illness. This incident caused an uproar, as the doctor left behind a young daughter on the island.
In October 2023, Cuban doctor Yamislai Bueno Soler, 32 years old, lost her life in a tragic traffic accident on the El Vigía-Santa Bárbara road in Zulia.
The vehicle he was traveling in collided head-on with a truck, leaving five other occupants injured, including four Cubans. This accident highlighted once again the dangers that these professionals face during their missions.
In April 2021, Onilber Aguilera, a 44-year-old Cuban engineer who served as the Head of the Medical Insurance Group in the state of Carabobo, passed away due to a cardiac arrest associated with respiratory complications while carrying out his mission.
More generally, in April 2010, Cuba's Deputy Minister of Health, Joaquín García, acknowledged that 69 Cuban doctors had died in Venezuela over a seven-year period while working in vulnerable communities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cuban Medical Mission in Venezuela and Its Challenges
Who was Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti and what was his role in Venezuela?
Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti was a Cuban doctor who served as the health director in the municipality of Carrizal, in the state of Miranda, Venezuela. He arrived in Venezuela in 2003 and worked in the Cuban-Venezuelan medical collaboration program, solidifying his career and earning the respect of his colleagues and the local community.
What challenges do Cuban doctors face on international missions in Venezuela?
Cuban doctors in Venezuela face a number of challenges, including difficult working conditions, constant stress, and poor nutrition. These issues are exacerbated by the economic crisis and hyperinflation in the South American country. Additionally, tragic cases have occurred, such as suicides and deaths from treatable illnesses due to a lack of adequate resources.
How has the death of Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti impacted the community in Carrizal?
The passing of Jorge Luis Dupré Zanetti has caused shock and sadness in the Carrizal community, where colleagues and residents have expressed their gratitude and respect for his work. His departure has left a significant void in the medical and social landscape of the municipality.
What measures are being taken to improve the conditions of Cuban doctors on international missions?
Currently, no effective measures have been implemented to improve the conditions of Cuban doctors on international missions. The situation remains critical, with professionals facing adverse conditions without adequate support or resources. A review and improvement of policies are needed to ensure their well-being and safety.
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