The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel suggested that Cuba should "generalize" telemedicine and achieve the necessary interconnections so that this service can "reach any location," with the aim of extending it to the level of polyclinics and, from there, to the medical offices.
The proposal was presented during an intervention in which he acknowledged that there are already "concrete" developments and that the next step is to expand them on a national scale.
The statement comes at a time when the country is facing a prolonged energy crisis, which has sparked criticism and questions about the feasibility of expanding digital services that rely on electricity and connectivity. However, in the available excerpt, Díaz-Canel does not mention blackouts or explain how the technical conditions for that expansion would be ensured.
In the excerpt, Díaz-Canel stated that the country is "already seeing" solutions that are "developed" and "concrete," and that what remains is to generalize them and build the interconnections that will allow telemedicine to truly function throughout the territory.
"I believe that the aspiration we have, which we must achieve, is for it to reach the level of the polyclinic and from the polyclinic to the level of the consultant," he said.
In Cuba, telemedicine is not a new concept, but it has gone through very distinct phases: from initial experiences and pilot programs, to institutional networks (especially linked to INFOMED and reference hospitals), and more recently, a push to "generalize" its use in primary care while simultaneously packaging services for foreign patients through the Cuban Medical Services Marketing Company (CSMC).
On April 21, 1999, Cuba "officially inaugurated" the Telemedicine Network at the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, with a project focused on diagnosis ("Telemedicine Project for Diagnosis") to enhance services and reduce material costs.
The Telemedicine Program brought together 18 second-level institutions for image exchange, and Santiago de Cuba stood out for conducting second opinion consultations between provincial hospitals and the reference center (Hermanos Ameijeiras).
However, the economic crisis limited the national scope of solutions, although subsequent local initiatives emerged.
Granma published this month a report presenting that the Cuban Medical Services Marketing Company (CSMC) "enhances" telemedicine as a means to expand the reach of healthcare, and it lists services such as telediagnosis, online teleconsultations and second opinions, remote monitoring or tele-advising, and teleconferences linked to specialists and reference institutions.
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