PAHO Praises
Cuba Docs in Guatemala
Guatemala - Pan American Health Organization representative to
Guatemala Joaquin Molina highlighted the work by Cuban doctors and
those graduated from the Latin American School of Medicine in the
country's rural areas.
The PAHO maintains close coordination with the medical brigade sent
to very poor areas to reduce the mother and child mortality rate and
preventing uterine cervix cancer, Molina told Prensa Latina.
The Cuban cooperators arrived in this country over 10 years ago,
after the path of hurricane Mitch through Central America, and they
have rendered around 25 million free consultations, and saved the
lives of more than 260,000 people since then.
Around 400 doctors are currently working in 17 departments, and more
than 300 graduates from the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM)
have joined the Guatemalan health system.
"The ELAM graduates have committed to working in rural areas for
four or more years, and they are keeping their promise," said the
PAHO representative.
He recalled that the World Health Organization recommended having 25
professionals per every 10,000 people, and Guatemala has only 15 and
less in rural areas.
"We believe that formation of professionals at the ELAM will allow a
huge qualitative step forward in this country's health system for
the coming years, especially in the rural areas," Molina said.
A total of 507 Guatemalan doctors have graduated in Cuba so far, 531
others are studying at the ELAM, and 80 scholars will begin to study
this year at that Cuban educational center. |
|
|
|
|
|
