• With an investment of 38.3 million pesos, the new unit allows for expanded and improved specialist care for over 258,000 inhabitants in the south of the province. The ceremony was presided over by Rebel Army Commander José Ramón Machado Ventura.

In an atmosphere of joy and revolutionary commitment, the elective surgical unit area of the «Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola» General Teaching Provincial Hospital was inaugurated this Monday.

The project, representing a qualitative leap in the province’s health services, was made possible thanks to an investment of 38.3 million pesos and the joint effort of the state system and non-state economic actors.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Rebel Army Commander José Ramón Machado Ventura, along with other Party and Government authorities.

Also present were centre directors, medical and paramedical staff, as well as representatives from the non-state enterprises that made the refurbishment a reality.

A Legacy Fulfilled

Speaking at the event, Dr José Carlos Echarte Leiva, director of the institution, highlighted the significance of this project for the Avilanian health system. «Today, with the inauguration of the elective surgical unit area of the Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola General Teaching Provincial Hospital, we are making his legacy a reality,» expressed Echarte, referring to the example of the historic leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.

The director provided details about the centre: «The hospital provides care to a population of 258,000 inhabitants, corresponding to the southern territory of the province. It has 507 beds across 28 hospital wards and 44 specialist medical services. We also have eight provincial-level terminal care services, including Paediatric Surgery, Burn Care, Cardiology, Intensive Care for critically ill maternity patients, and Neonatology for complicated newborns and those under 1500 grammes; as well as the Provincial Centre for Medical Genetics, the Provincial Centre for Assisted Reproduction, and the Care and Education Home for Diabetic Patients.»

Echarte emphasised advances in specialties such as orthopaedics and traumatology, and stressed the importance of the new unit for reducing waiting lists and offering more timely and higher quality care.

Projects that Transform from Within

The refurbishment of the elective surgical area included capital repair, suspended ceilings, painting, electrical installations and air conditioning, among other improvements. Non-state economic actors actively participated in the tasks, and their contribution was recognised during the ceremony.

Andy Rojas Novoa, from the SME Constructora Andy, explained the work carried out: «The capital repair, suspended ceilings, painting, sockets, everything, the capital repair of the hospitalisation wards.»

Furthermore, he mentioned that they are continuing to work in other areas: «Right now we are working here in therapy, neonatology, paediatrics and cardiology.» Regarding the significance of his contribution, he stated: «It is a very important step and a task that the government has given me, and I am fulfilling it to the letter.»

For his part, Leonardo Torrentes Díaz, from the SME Clima Jungley, detailed his work in the maintenance, repair and installation of air conditioning systems throughout the hospital. «I am pleased, above all, that the hospital is pleased with my work. It means a lot,» he declared.

The event’s announcer summed up the collective sentiment: «In complex times, Fidel’s example inspires our health professionals to put heart and soul into their work, reaffirming that health is a pillar of social justice and a symbol of dignity for the people. Cuban medicine is, without a doubt, one of the greatest achievements of his humanist vision. Today, recognition is given to the non-state enterprises, without which the completion of this project would not have been possible.»

With this inauguration, the «Dr. Antonio Luaces Iraola» Provincial Hospital consolidates its position as a reference centre in the central region of the country, and reaffirms the commitment of the Cuban health system to quality, equity and sustainability.