Desde Dentro de Cuba.

Distribuido por Cuba Free Press, Inc. - http://www.cubafreepress.org

La Habana, August 8, 1998, Cuba Free Press.

Marta Beatriz Roque's Health. By Tania Quintero, Cuba Free Press.

La Habana, Cuba Free Press. Friday July 31, Marta Beatriz Roque received her health statement.The well known dissident, economist by profession, heard it in the company of three family members and one State Security officer. The Medical group was integrated by six specialists from Carlos J. Finlay Military Hospital and included a dermatologist, an ear nose and throat specialist, a clinician, an ophthalmologist, an orthopedic surgeon and a Psychiatrist.

The health status of Marta Beatriz, member of the Dissident Support Group, has not been good since she was detained last year. As was noted by one of the family members, the main evaluation was provided by the Psychiatrist who stated that the prisoner suffers from stress caused hypochondriasis. It was also stated that her sufferings were "appropriate for her age". (On May 18 Marta Beatriz was 54 years old.)

During the one and a half hour meting, no mention was made of the mammary dysplasia, or of the blood pressure irregularities worsened during the year of confinement while pending arraignment.

With regards to her vision deficiencies (she is myopic, minus 600 on the right eye and minus 400 on the left) the ophthalmologist gave a prescription for glasses to her family. But Marta Beatriz has used contact lenses for years and she requested a prescription for semisoft lenses. With regards to a 35 decibel sound in the high range which leader has in the left ear, the ear nose and throat stated that it has no major consequences for her hearing. The cause of this sound has not been determined yet.

The family requested a revaluation of the diagnosis as the twenty physical therapy sessions were not completed. Marta Beatriz has a fusion of the 4th and fifth vertebra in the spine.

June 12 the prisoner was transfered from the Occidental Women's Jail, in the outskirts of the Capital, to the Carlos J. Finlay Military Hospital, in Marianao municipality of Habana. The fact that the medical status has been given does not mean her hospital stay has been completed. The next appointment date was given for the same medical center.

The family members stated that their meeting with Marta Beatriz, the physicians, and the officer from the State Security, was held in an atmosphere of mutual respect. At all times the treatment was appropriate on both sides.

Tania Quintero, Cuba Free Press