Since the first hurricane alerts issued by Civil Defense, the staff of the Dr. Ernesto Guevara General Teaching Hospital took action to protect the facility and provide medical care for any eventuality that may occur in the coming days.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- Dr. Marianela Zapata, director of the largest care center in the province, assured 26 that they have successfully evacuated the institution. "Today, the hospital is less than 50 percent full, and we have already started admitting patients to the hemodialysis program, who are receiving specific protection.

"The Maternal and Child Care Program (PAMI) is very well organized, and priority has been given to emergency services. Despite the existing morbidity, we have all the human resources, 24-hour on-call staff, protected surgical supplies, and the essential material resources for the provision of services.

"At the hospital, we have coverage for 10 days, including fuel, liquefied gas, two inspected generators, and water with the proper hypochlorite protection."

The doctor emphasized that three surgical brigades are ready to be deployed to Manatí, Majibacoa, and “Colombia” is needed, depending on the decreed phase. To date, constant monitoring is key to preserving facilities and, more importantly, human lives.