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In a context marked by a shortage of human resources, health authorities in Matanzas boasted that they achieved 100% medical coverage in the province during 2024.
According to Mariela Romero Pérez, head of Primary Health Care, “despite the shortage of doctors in clinics, we have implemented strategies to ensure that no patient goes unattended,” reported the official newspaper Girón.
These strategies included the redistribution of available staff and the conducting of external consultations, assessments, and inter-consultations in key areas such as pediatrics, general medicine, and gynecology-obstetrics.
Romero assured that, even in this context, "the main indicators of Primary Care have been surpassed."
However, these claims of full coverage contrast with the numerous difficulties facing the healthcare system in the province.
The shortage of basic supplies and medications continues to be a persistent issue, impacting both Primary Care and hospitals.
Elaine Hernández Febles, head of the Department of Medicines and Medical Technologies, acknowledged that "the supplies were compromised," which necessitated strengthening controls in pharmacies and institutions to maximize available resources.
"It's not about looking at what we don’t have, but about making better use of what we do have," he noted.
Transportation, another critical link in the system, hampered the operational capacity of medical services.
The lack of vehicles affected both the mobility of personnel and the distribution of resources in rural areas, leaving many patients with limited access to care, acknowledged the official newspaper Girón.
The hygienic-epidemiological situation also encountered difficulties. The province faced a challenging year with dengue, which resulted in high morbidity and some severe cases with fatal outcomes.
"Although efforts were always made to prevent these outcomes, the reality is that the conditions of the system are not ideal," admitted Andrés Lamas Acevedo, provincial director of Public Health.
In hospitals, the shortages are also evident. According to Abel Iván Semper González, director of Medical Assistance, the hospitals in Matanzas operated in 2024 under significant pressure due to a lack of resources.
“It has been attempted to maintain a surgical pace to address emergencies and oncological cases, but the limitations are evident. Despite this, we have managed to ensure that patients with critical needs receive care,” he stated.
He also emphasized that, although the number of beds in nursing homes has not increased, there are no waiting lists, which he attributed to a more efficient management system.
In addition to the shortage of primary care physicians, the province is facing a scarcity of nursing staff.
Although retirees and pre-professional students have been rehired, the problem persists, especially in rural areas and specialized services.
Geraldo Miguel Benito Hernández, president of the Nursing Chapter in Matanzas, acknowledged that "the stability of the department has relied on alternatives and the commitment of the staff, but we continue to face difficulties."
Structural deficiencies are compounded by technological issues. Although medical appointments have been digitized in some municipalities, the system has not been implemented uniformly throughout the province, leaving out key hospitals.
"We continue to work on improving technology and the extent of digitalization, but the process is slow due to a lack of resources," explained José Santos Chaviano, director of Provincial Health Management.
Public health in Matanzas faces a paradox: while authorities claim total coverage, the reality reveals an overloaded system, with a shortage of staff, limited resources, and infrastructure struggling to remain functional.
Although the strategies implemented aim to alleviate the effects of these shortcomings, challenges persist, testing the system's ability to ensure the quality of care that the population needs.
Frequently asked questions about the health situation in Matanzas
How does the lack of doctors affect the healthcare system in Matanzas?
Despite authorities claiming total medical coverage, the shortage of doctors and healthcare personnel is significant. This has led to the redistribution of staff and the hiring of retirees and students, which has not been enough to meet the healthcare needs, especially in rural areas and specialized services.
What strategies have been implemented to address the shortage of doctors in Matanzas?
The authorities have resorted to the redistribution of available personnel and the implementation of external consultations and interconsultations in key areas such as pediatrics, clinical, and gynecology-obstetrics. Additionally, retired doctors and pre-professional students have been rehired in an effort to alleviate the shortage of staff doctors.
What is the impact of the shortage of medical supplies in Matanzas?
The shortage of basic supplies and medications affects both Primary Care and hospitals. This situation forces authorities to maximize available resources and strengthen controls in pharmacies and institutions, which limits the ability to provide quality medical care.
How has dengue affected the healthcare system in Matanzas?
During 2024, Matanzas faced a challenging year with dengue, which caused high morbidity and some severe cases with fatal outcomes. The conditions of the healthcare system were not ideal to address this crisis, which tested the system's ability to ensure the necessary quality of care.
What problems does the healthcare transportation system in Matanzas face?
The lack of vehicles affects both the mobility of personnel and the distribution of resources in rural areas, limiting many patients' access to the necessary medical care. This is a critical link that hinders the operational capacity of medical services in the province.
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