Guantánamo.- Three medical technology devices that strengthen care for critically ill patients are now operational and saving lives in the polyclinics of the municipalities of San Antonio del Sur and Imías, as part of the latest donations of the United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF) to those territories affected by Hurricane Oscar.
The impact of the donation, which includes a lung ventilator, a cardiac monitor, and a defibrillator, was confirmed this week by UNICEF officials visiting those municipalities, the most affected by the hydrometeorological phenomenon that also caused damage in Maisí and Baracoa.
The visitors discussed with health officials and workers the usefulness of the 60 medicine kits distributed in the four affected municipalities and the hospitals in the provincial capital. These kits were primarily used for the mother and child health program, but have an impact on all services.
They also visited medical offices in both territories, which received 1,000-liter tanks that strengthen the resilience of community health services in the face of drought, sanitary items, and iron supplements to prevent or treat iron-deficiency anemia in pregnant and nursing mothers.
In conversations with specialists from the Ciro Frías Cabrera Polyclinic in Imías, Rocío Rodríguez Sánchez, Health and Nutrition Officer, emphasized UNICEF’s commitment to the quality and comprehensive care of children, adolescents, and pregnant and nursing mothers.
For his part, Yoel Martínez González, a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene official, visited the Pan de Azúcar pumping station in San Antonio del Sur, which received a hypochlorinator powered by a photovoltaic system to supply water to 1,500 people in that town and La Playa.
The official also visited the Máximo Gómez Báez Junior High School in San Antonio del Sur, where a desalination plant is being installed to supply fresh water to that school, the neighboring daycare center, and part of the community.
During a later day, the officials met with senior management at the Agostinho Neto General Hospital and visited the intensive care and neonatal care wards, the latter of which has been equipped with several incubators and equipment such as a defibrillator and cardiac monitor.
Following Hurricane Oscar, UNICEF promptly deployed a large amount of pre-positioned resources to the affected areas, including 870 hygiene kits, 4,420 tanks, 362 educational kits, 1,000 square meters of roofing tiles, and 100 tanks for schools.
In the following months, the aid expanded and deepened its impact thanks to contributions from the Government of Canada and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), with the aim of improving community life and contributing to more resilient institutions in the face of extreme natural events.
Emergency Officer Marielys del Toro Padrón confirmed to the press that most of the interventions in health, education, and water and sanitation have been completed and are already positively impacting the lives of children, families, and communities.
