2021, Number 6
The Experience of the ''Henry Reeve'' Cuban Medical Brigade in the fight against COVID-19 in South Africa
Language: Spanish
References: 18
Page: 1-14
PDF size: 896.88 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: South Africa, the nation most affected by SARS-CoV-2 in Africa, requested medical assistance from Cuba. The Henry Reeve International Contingent of Specialized Doctors in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics sent a brigade to strengthen medical collaboration. Objective: review the composition of the group, the assistance activities carried out, experience and impact of the work supported by the "Henry Reeve" Cuban Medical Brigade in South Africa to confront COVID-19 and other health problems. Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2020 and May 2021. Some instruments were built to collect daily and weekly information, as well as the Minsap model 241-492 with monthly periodicity. Results: the brigade was made up of 184 collaborators: 114 physicians (62.0%) and 70 health technicians and graduates (38.0%). Sex male was predominant (61.4%) and the average age was 43 years. More than 255,940 patients were attended at the field hospital, of which 116,234 were COVID-19 confirmed patients. A total of 1,294 surgical interventions, 320 deliveries and 44,692 nursing procedures were performed, which contributed to saving the lives of 1,519 patients, 66% of whom were COVID-19 positive. The death of 643 patients was regretted, 97% of them due to disease complications. The work carried out by epidemiologists, medical equipment maintenance specialists, biostatisticians and pharmacists was highlighted. Conclusions: the meritorious work carried out by the "Henry Reeve" Cuban Medical Brigade in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its support to health institutions of the South African National Health System is acknowledged.REFERENCES
Castro Ruz F. Discurso pronunciado por el Presidente de la República de Cuba, Fidel Castro Ruz, en la clausura del XII Foro Nacional de Ciencia y Técnica [Internet]. La Habana: Palacio de las Convenciones; 21 Nov 1998 [citado 8 Oct 2021]. Disponible en: http://www.cuba.cu/gobierno/discursos/1998/esp/f211198e.html
Castro Peraza MA, Jiménez Perez NA, Cabrera Marquetti MR. Capacitación para la COVID-19: experiencias del Instituto de Medicina Tropical “Pedro Kourí”. Rev Cubana Hig Epidemiol [Internet]. 2020 [citado 20 Oct 2021]; 57:[aproximadamente 10 p.]. Disponible en: http://revepidemiologia.sld.cu/index.php/hie/article/view/669
Portal Miranda JA. 16 años del contingente médico Henry Reeve: Ustedes han estado donde más se les ha necesitado, y no han fallado. Cubadebate; 2021 19 Sep. [citado 19 Oct 2021]. Disponible en: http://www.cubadebate.cu/especiales/2021/09/19/16-anos-del-contingente-medico-henry-reeve-ustedes-han-estado-donde-mas-se-les-ha-necesitado-y-no-han-fallado/
Cubaminrex. Representaciones Diplomáticas de Cuba en el exterior. El presidente Ramaphosa da la bienvenida a los profesionales de la salud Cubanos www.cubadiplomatica.cu. 2020 28 Abr [citado 15 Oct 2021]. Disponible en: http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/es/articulo/el-presidente-ramaphosa-da-la-bienvenida-los-profesionales-de-la-salud-cubanos
Mkhize Z. Cuban Medical Brigade continues to play critical role in battle against Covid-19 www.news24.com; 2020 2 Sep [citado 15 Oct 2021]. Disponible en: https://www.news24.com/news24/columnists/guestcolumn/zweli-mkhize-cuban-medical-brigade-continues-to-play-critical-role-in-battle-against-covid-19-20200902
Cubaminrex. Representaciones Diplomáticas de Cuba en el exterior. Ministro de salud de Sudáfrica destaca labor de los médicos cubanos. www.cubadiplomatica.cu. 2020 15 Ago [citado 15 Oct 2021]. Disponible en: http://www.cubadiplomatica.cu/es/articulo/ministro-de-salud-de-sudafrica-destaca-labor-de-los-medicos-cubanos 12.Cuban Brigade in South Africa (Virtual Meeting). sacoronavirus.co.za. 2020 15 Ago [citado 15 Oct 2021]. Disponible en: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/2020/08/14/cuban-brigade-in-south-africa/