The work of the Subdirection of Care for the Seriously Ill at Octavio de la Concepción de la Pedraja Pediatric Hospital in Holguín is complex. Fourteen services and the Hospital Nursing Department are subordinated to this area, which, like the rest of the health services, face a deficit of supplies and a shortage of human resources.
Precisely, the nursing staff is one of those that has fluctuated the most. Hence, the need to carry out basic technical courses in order to provide quality care to pediatric patients.
According to Dr. María Migdalia Paneque Mendoza, who has been the Deputy Director of Critical Care at the hospital since May 2023, this unit covers the Emergency, Intermediate Therapy, Intensive Care, Neonatology, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Pediatric Clinics, Nephrology, Endocrinology, Cardiology, Oncohematology, Genetics and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation services.
Some of them stand out in the care of the country’s eastern region and constitute national reference centers, such as the Neonatology, Oncohematology, Endocrinology and Nephrology services that provide medical assistance to those who come from nearby provinces, especially from Granma and Las Tunas.
The current year, the challenges of this sub-directorate will also be related to the commitment to preserve the health of pediatric patients in the territory.
According to the specialist in Pediatrics, among the most significant results achieved during year 2023 are the 95 percent survival rate in intensive care, with no deaths under one year of age in the last six months and a net and gross mortality rate of 0.2, one of the best in the country.
On the other hand, the Neonatology service, where the Regional Neonatal Surgery Center is located, achieved a 100 percent survival rate, thanks to the efforts of the surgeons and neonatologists dedicated to the care and attention of the newborns after undergoing surgery.
Paneque Mendoza pointed out that last year they faced a significant increase in the number of patients with respiratory symptoms, many of whom arrived at the units of serious attention with a high degree of life-threatening conditions, exceeding 7,155 admissions due to this cause.
She informed that in view of this increase, emergency measures were adopted and up to six hospitalization wards were enlarged, doubling the efforts, work and dedication of pediatricians and nursing staff.
“We receive help from the pediatricians of the Primary Health Care and the Comprehensive General Practitioners (MGI), especially in the municipality of Holguín. We also faced, in unison, an increase of patients with symptoms of suspected dengue fever, also confronted by the MGI and specialists of the pediatric clinic service. Among the works inaugurated in salute to the 65th anniversary of the Revolution is a completely renovated and repaired intermediate care unit, with the comfort of first-world services and a capacity of 15 beds,” he added.
As for the activity in the area of Cuban Medical Services, represented by international medical care, 54 patients were treated during 2023, with a contribution to the country of more than 33,700 USD in the different forms of payment.
The healthcare work of a pediatric hospital is complex, and if to this is added the deficit of resources and supplies, it is necessary to innovate and look for alternatives, especially in treatment, as a way to grow personally and professionally in the face of difficulties. However, teamwork, unity and the pursuit of a common goal allow us to obtain good results, said Dr. Paneque Mendoza.
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