Distributed by The Cuba Free Press Project.

Havana, August 27, 1997, Cuba Press

A Visit from the Secretary of Health. By Marvin Hernandez Monzon, Cuba Press.

The Cuban Secretary of Health, Carlos Dotres, visited the Municipal locality of Ranchuelo, in the Province of Villa Clara, this past August 19th, in an official inspection of the field he represents.

On the occasion of the ministerial visit, the Polyclinic in Ranchuelo, exhibited all types of medications necessary to the emergency room. Mr. Dotres found as well sufficient modes of transportation for transferring patients to the Polyclinic, or from there to the other hospitals in the central region - reported a doctor in that locality.

The doctor went on to say in his report, that this is not the usual existing situation when it comes time to render medical services to the people. He gave ample detailed accounts of patient deaths resulting from the lack of primary medical care in emergency rooms, and the lack of available transportation to carry patients in time to the hospitals in Santa Clara.

By Marvin Hernandez Monzon, Cuba Press.