According to Maurizio Dondi, Head of Nuclear Medicine Section in the IAEA’s programme on Human Health “Cuba has some of the best skilled nuclear cardiologists in the region and it is thanks to their personal commitment that the IAEA activities in Cuba have been very successful with very positive outcomes”.
It has achieved a heart surgery survival rate of over 95%, including coronary and vascular operations and those linked to congenital heart defects, a figure which places the island among the most advanced countries in this field. The information was provided during the Cardiovilla 2015 International Congress, which is being held in the Euro Star Hotel in .
According to statements by Dr Eduardo Rivas, president of the Cuban Society of Cardiology, the result corresponds to the will of the Cuban government to improve the population’s quality of life, together with the efforts of the existing cardio-surgical network across the
country.
He also revealed the excellent results in pediatric heart surgery, with a high rate of effectiveness, as a result of early diagnosis of sick children, with immediate intervention before the disease develops.
There are about six hospitals with a nuclear medicine department in Havana, and a few in other provinces, for example, in Santiago de Cuba, Camaguey, Villa Clara. They work together, often treating patients from other hospitals. They also organize special scientific meeting to discuss the results of various research projects which finished during the preceding year.
International students are also to take part in the courses available at the hospital and to take part in ongoing research. Surgical procedures and outpatient procedures are performed at the hospital.
The hospital also conducts health promotion programmes, nutrition programs and
offers clinical pathology services. Overseas patients can consult the professionals at the hospital by mailing or faxing their requirements. (Reword this one)
The Children’s Heart Center was founded in 1986. This is the National Reference Center for Pediatric Cardiology and the central coordinating institution for the rest of the country.
This is where most major pediatric heart surgery is done and the national Children’s Heart Network is coordinated from here. For details of this network.
We have a National Pediatric Cardiology Network whereby every provincial capital has a chief coordinating pediatric cardiologist.
This person inter-consults with, organizes and coordinates with all of the municipal cardiologists. The major provincial pediatric hospital receives children from different parts of the province for more specialized
attention as required, and for remission to Havana if necessary. (Reword this one)
In 1986, the Cuban health system adopted the National Program for Care of Children with Cardiopathies, in order to facilitate integrated management of these cases nationally. The Program itself is subordinated to the Maternal-Child Division of the Ministry of Public
Dr. Eugenio Selman-Housein, who directs the Children’s Heart Center in Havana, notes that its function at the hub of the National Children’s Heart Network is critical to diagnosis,
treatment and follow-up for these young patients. “The national network brings
them specialized attention where they live,” he says, “and also provides guidance for local pediatricians, family doctors and nurses, parents and family members.”
The Network includes both secondary level institutions (pediatric hospitals, maternity hospitals and neonatology services) as well as primary care facilities (community polyclinics and family
doctor-and-nurse offices at the neighborhood level). In each of Cuba’s 14 provinces and on the Isle of Youth, one cardiologist is charged with coordinating the Network’s activities in their territory, and coordinating these with the National Heart Center in Havana.
Dr. Eugenio Selman-Housein, who directs the Children’s Heart Center in Havana, notes that its function at the hub of the National Children’s Heart Network is critical to diagnosis,
treatment and follow-up for these young patients. “The national network brings
them specialized attention where they live,” he says, “and also provides guidance for local pediatricians, family doctors and nurses, parents and family members.”
The Network includes both secondary level institutions (pediatric hospitals, maternity hospitals and neonatology services) as well as primary care facilities (community polyclinics and family
doctor-and-nurse offices at the neighborhood level). In each of Cuba’s 14 provinces and on the Isle of Youth, one cardiologist is charged with coordinating the Network’s activities in their territory, and coordinating these with the National Heart Center in Havana.