• The largest hospital in the province is celebrating its 45th anniversary. In its annals, the work of the pantrymaids counts for a lot.

She arrived at the Doctor Ernesto Guevara General Teaching Hospital in 1980. At that time, the largest institution of its kind in the province was a building that smelled of fresh paint, with areas under construction and a lot of hustle and bustle from service personnel. Inside, Migdalia Salina Castro's first day was spent facing a mountain of rubble that made her feel small.

She was only 17 years old when she decided to take a job as a cleaning assistant. Her family encouraged her because she had shown a strong willingness to work hard since she was a child. Choosing the “Guevara” as her workplace also meant a commitment to the people and a desire to contribute her efforts to “a place close by where she could ensure the safety of the people she loved.”

Although some tried to dissuade her and advise her to find something easier, Migdalia remained firm in her conviction. Each day was harder than the last because the hospital was growing little by little. Her arms polished the hallways that are still preserved today.

She remembers, red with emotion, that those were beautiful times. All week long, she polished the marble and scraped walls and floors, and on Sundays, they called for mobilizations to support economic and productive tasks. She still remembers herself as a thin little girl in a truck full of people, ready to go to the cane fields or some food distribution center. “Those were unforgettable days.”

THE SERVICE CAP

"I had been working for three years when one of my direct bosses suggested I apply for the position of pantry assistant. He told me that I was young and could do better. There, of course, I had to learn to deal with patients and be twice as helpful and friendly. The truth is that this was not an obstacle for me; to this day, I have never had problems with anyone."

"I had to take a course, and I worked very hard not to disappoint the person who had recommended me. I can tell you that in my daily work, I am always very careful, I check the food and the containers; I care immensely about the quality of what I offer to the patients, and that it is in good condition."

"Imagine that I work in the ward where women who have had a C-section are staying. It hurts me to see them leave the ward scared and in pain. The least I can do is bring them food, talk to them, and cheer them up. That's also my job. In these difficult times, when we provide them with what the hospital can guarantee, we have to complement that with affection."

"The ‘Guevara’ has seen golden times, with many resources, but we have to adapt to what we have now. What I can attest to is that in the 45 years I've been here, I have a thousand stories of how doctors and nurses do the impossible to save lives. I've seen a lot..."

“I lost my mother here. Since then, it has never been the same, because there are corridors that bring back memories I would rather forget. Even so, this has been my second home and the only workplace I have ever known.”

In an unchanging loop, Migdalia wakes up at dawn, and by 7:00 a.m., she is already wearing her cap, at the doors of the ward to distribute breakfast. She also carries with her a pleasant smile and a great deal of empathy, even though she has personal problems and hardships like half of Cuba. She returns home late in the afternoon.

She has the key to successfully performing her job. “I respect every human being. I understand that no one is in the hospital for pleasure and that most are anxious and afraid. With patients and family members, we must act as we would like them to act toward us. The ‘Guevara’ is made up of many services, and all are important, so my small contribution also counts. That is my pride.”