In Italy, there would be a shortage of around 30,000 hospital doctors. This is at least the figure made by the group of associations of doctors FoSSC and quoted by the press agency Ansa. To alleviate this shortage, Calabria called on Cuban doctors. This weekend, 120 doctors came to reinforce hospitals, almost a week after their arrival in the south of the boot. Already this winter, around 50 health professionals have arrived in this region, which has one of the least efficient health systems in the country. Ultimately, Havana must send nearly 500 doctors. Report in the province of Reggio Calabria.
Behind the emergency counter at the Polistena hospital, Dagoberto Gonzalez Martinez fills out an admission form. Arrived from Cuba last winter, he has been lending a hand since January. Working in a foreign country is not a problem for him. His work as a doctor does not change much. ” In Cuba, we have other work protocols, but we adapt, specifies the Cuban caregiver. There are pathologies that we don’t have in Cuba and vice versa. But with the experience and the very good training that we have, we can work in any country. »
Dagoberto Gonzalez Martinez is used to adapting. He has already practiced outside Cuba: in Venezuela and Brazil. Learning Italian at a run is an additional challenge for him. ” We had problems with the language, but with time all the problems are solved, he adds. For example, communication is very good with the staff here, and that helps. »
In the emergency room, Doctor Gonzalez Martinez and his compatriots brought a breath of fresh air. ” They gave us a huge helping hand, because we were on the bone, our doctors were overworked, assures Giuseppe Cutano, emergency coordinator. One doctor per call could not take care of all the users. Because here there was one doctor on duty before the Cuban doctors arrived, it was really inhuman. Now there are at least two. »
In total, the hospital accommodates sixteen Cuban doctors in different departments. At the direction of the establishment, Dr. Francesca Liotta praises the speed with which they have acclimatized. She also appreciates their infectious enthusiasm. ” They have a strong sense of humanity, emphasizes the director. Seeing them do it, we got out of our burn out a bit. We had gotten to the point that the patient was bothering us and that’s a bad sign for a doctor. Seeing them being close to the patients with enthusiasm, cajoling them, we started doing it again. We did it, but alienated by the excessive pace of the guards. And then the Covid played too. So let’s hope it’s a revival. »
An enthusiasm shared by Rocco Berluccio, met in Polistena. The little niece of this Calabrian was taken care of by a Cuban doctor some time before. “ They were really very professional and respectful both in terms of work and the humanity they showed. adds Rocco.
The contingent of Cuban doctors did not solve all the problems. This Calabrian testifies to a still chaotic situation. Off the microphone, a member of the hospital staff regrets that, due to a lack of space in the departments, the wait in the emergency room is still too long. For now, the contracts are for one year renewable. Cuba will provide assistance for several years if Calabria so wishes, especially since this mission is also of diplomatic importance.
” It’s hard to believe, a poor country, under blockade by the United States at the beginning of the revolution, which is the subject of measures that prevent progress, that this country can help a developed country, a founding member of the European Union, adds Luis Enrique Perez Ulloa, coordinator of the Cuban medical mission in Calabria. For us, it’s something important, we know we exist. »
However, Cuban doctors are not meant to stay forever. It’s about helping, not replacing Italian doctors.