The incidence of arboviruses, mainly chikungunya, and the health consequences for a considerable part of the population of Las Tunas, have prompted the Family Medicine Chapter in the province to contribute, through science and research, to improving the population's health and general well-being.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- Dr. Lilian María Aparicio Meneses, Master in Primary Health Care and President of the Family Medicine Chapter, assured the press that one of the greatest challenges they have set themselves for 2026 is to use accurate research to find keys to impacting the recovery of patients with sequelae caused by chikungunya.
Aparicio, who is also a teacher and coordinator of the Master's Degree in Primary Health Care in Las Tunas, said that since its inception, the Chapter has focused on the search for pedagogical and scientific tools to solve this health problem.
“In the province, a large number of the population has fallen ill as a result of arboviruses, and we have therefore begun to conduct studies, especially clinical-epidemiological studies, on the characteristics of the communities in Las Tunas, their transmission routes, and their sequelae,” the doctor pointed out.
"Since the master's program, we have focused our research on the behavior of the virus in pediatric patients, which, as we all know, is where the lethality of chikungunya has been most concentrated. The data from these investigations can help establish patterns and protocols that streamline the work of physicians. Similarly, there are studies focused on complications in older adults. The focus is on ensuring the treatment of patients and their quality of life. The Scientific Society is also supporting medical care, in this case advising on rehabilitation in particular."
Aparicio Meneses emphasized that in Las Tunas, there are currently many people with sequelae, which in many cases are debilitating. "We are focusing on achieving their rehabilitation in the chronic and subacute stages, trying to alleviate the discomfort that this disease has caused.
“We will be present, providing advice in the areas of health, so that we can reverse the discomfort and restore vitality to each patient. It is a considerable challenge that we are going to undertake.”
The doctor added that the Chapter is also engaged in 14 lines of research within Primary Health Care, mainly aimed at improving the results of the Maternal and Child Care Program (PAMI in Spanish) in chronic, non-infectious diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension.
“Of course, our priority now revolves around the incidence and consequences of arboviruses and other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, AIDS, venereal diseases, and many others that we cannot ignore if we want the population of Las Tunas to have the greatest possible well-being,” she added.
