The Eliseo Noel Caamaño Provincial Pediatric Hospital in Matanzas is operating under extreme pressure, with every bed occupied due to a surge in viral illnesses throughout the province, according to local reports. On Wednesday, the state-run newspaper Girón revealed that the hospital's management is dealing with an influx of admissions and is reorganizing care to meet the rising demand.
The report highlights that the hospital has enhanced its protocols for admitting children with fevers and symptoms indicative of viral infections, emphasizing swift evaluation and isolation when necessary. Additionally, patients are being redirected to other facilities within the province to alleviate the hospital's burden.
Dr. Anaelis Santana Álvarez, the hospital's director, explained that the crowded wards are largely due to the strict implementation of a national protocol. This protocol mandates the hospitalization of all children under the age of 10 who have fevers and are suspected of having arbovirus infections, regardless of complications, thus increasing pressure on healthcare services.
"We are facing a complex epidemiological situation, with arboviruses coinciding with other viral infections like rotavirus, which causes diarrheal diseases, increasing the demand for care," Dr. Santana noted. To manage the situation, the hospital has bolstered its medical staff, including specialists and residents, in the Emergency Department, and is also involving medical students to assist in patient care.
The strategy involves distributing the workload to regional hospitals in Cárdenas and Colón, ensuring that patients over five years old without alarm signs receive care from pediatricians in their local health areas. This allows the Provincial Pediatric Hospital to focus its resources on infants under one year old, children with alarm signs, and severe cases, "ensuring specialized care where it's most needed."
Dr. Santana emphasized that "resources to care for children have not been lacking" and assured that despite full occupancy, "there are currently no severe or critical arbovirus cases in the province." She also dismissed rumors of active cholera cases, attributing current diarrheal illnesses to seasonal rotavirus.
Recently, Santana reported that no deaths have occurred at the center over the past 48 hours from any illness, and no children in Matanzas have died due to arboviruses, which she claimed demonstrates the "effectiveness" of timely medical surveillance and intervention. She urged families to stay calm and seek medical services when symptoms appear.
The Epidemiological Situation in Cuba
On Wednesday, Dr. Francisco Durán García stated that although there is a high demand for health services in the province, they have not collapsed. Durán confirmed the presence of three arboviruses: dengue (with sustained presence), chikungunya (initially detected in Matanzas and spreading within the province), and Oropouche (on the decline).
He noted that dengue is being transmitted in 12 provinces, 36 municipalities, and 44 health areas; while Oropouche is present in 12 provinces, 26 municipalities, and 31 health areas, with cases decreasing. Regarding severity, Durán reported four patients hospitalized with dengue: three in serious condition and one critical.
Understanding the Health Crisis in Matanzas
What measures is the Matanzas Pediatric Hospital taking to handle the surge in viral illnesses?
The hospital is enhancing protocols for quick evaluation and isolation, redirecting patients to other facilities, and involving additional medical staff and students to manage the increased demand.
What is causing the high occupancy at the Pediatric Hospital in Matanzas?
The high occupancy is largely due to a national protocol requiring the hospitalization of all children under 10 with fevers and suspected arbovirus infections, which increases healthcare pressure.
Are there any severe or critical arbovirus cases in Matanzas?
Currently, there are no severe or critical arbovirus cases in the province, as confirmed by the hospital's director.