Experiencia de la Brigada Médica Cubana "Henry Reeve" en el enfrentamiento a la COVID-19 en Sudáfrica

RESUMEN Introducción: Sudáfrica, nación más afectada por el SARS-CoV-2 en África, solicitó ayuda médica a Cuba. El Contingente Internacional de Médicos Especializados en Situaciones de Desastres y Graves Epidemias "Henry Reeve" envió una brigada para reforzar la colaboración médica. Objetivo: Describir la composición del grupo, actividades asistenciales realizadas, experiencia e impacto del trabajo de la Brigada Médica Cubana "Henry Reeve" en Sudáfrica para el enfrentamiento a la COVID-19 y otros problemas de salud. Método: Se realizó una investigación descriptiva transversal, entre abril 2020 y mayo 2021. Se confeccionaron instrumentos para la recolección de la información diaria y semanal, así como el modelo 241-492 del Minsap con periodicidad mensual. Resultados: La brigada estuvo conformada por 184 colaboradores: 114 médicos (62,0 %) y 70 licenciados y técnicos de salud (38,0 %). Predominó el sexo masculino (61,4 %) y la edad promedio fue de 43 años. Fueron atendidos más de 255 940 pacientes, de ellos, 116 234 relacionados con la COVID-19. Se realizaron 1 294 intervenciones quirúrgicas, 320 partos y 44 692 procederes de enfermería; lo que contribuyó a salvarle la vida a 1 519 pacientes, entre ellos el 66 % fue positivo a COVID-19. Se lamentó el fallecimiento de 643 pacientes, el 97 % por complicaciones de dicha enfermedad. Se destacó el trabajo realizado por epidemiólogos, electromédicos, bioestadísticos y farmacéuticos. Conclusiones: Se reconoce la meritoria labor desempeñada por la Brigada Médica Cubana "Henry Reeve" en el enfrentamiento a la COVID-19 y su contribución en instituciones del Sistema Nacional de Salud de Sudáfrica.

ABSTRACT Introduction: South Africa, the nation most affected by SARS-CoV-2 in Africa, requested medical assistance from Cuba. The Henry Reeve International Contingent of Specialized Doctors in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics sent a brigade to strengthen medical collaboration. Objective: Review the composition of the group, the assistance activities carried out, experience and impact of the work supported by the "Henry Reeve" Cuban Medical Brigade in South Africa to confront COVID-19 and other health problems. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2020 and May 2021. Some instruments were built to collect daily and weekly information, as well as the Minsap model 241-492 with monthly periodicity. Results: The brigade was made up of 184 collaborators: 114 physicians (62.0%) and 70 health technicians and graduates (38.0%). Sex male was predominant (61.4%) and the average age was 43 years. More than 255,940 patients were attended at the field hospital, of which 116,234 were COVID-19 confirmed patients. A total of 1,294 surgical interventions, 320 deliveries and 44,692 nursing procedures were performed, which contributed to saving the lives of 1,519 patients, 66% of whom were COVID-19 positive. The death of 643 patients was regretted, 97% of them due to disease complications. The work carried out by epidemiologists, medical equipment maintenance specialists, biostatisticians and pharmacists was highlighted. Conclusions: The meritorious work carried out by the "Henry Reeve" Cuban Medical Brigade in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its support to health institutions of the South African National Health System is acknowledged.

RESUMO Introdução: A África do Sul, a nação mais afetada pelo SARS-CoV-2 na África, solicitou ajuda médica de Cuba. O Contingente Internacional de Médicos Especializados em Situações de Desastre e Epidemias Graves "Henry Reeve" enviou uma brigada para reforçar a colaboração médica. Objetivo: Descrever a composição do grupo, as atividades assistenciais realizadas, a experiência e o impacto do trabalho da Brigada Médica Cubana "Henry Reeve" na África do Sul para enfrentar o COVID-19 e outros agravos à saúde. Método: Pesquisa descritiva transversal realizada entre abril de 2020 e maio de 2021. Foram confeccionados instrumentos de coleta de informações diárias e semanais, bem como o modelo Minsap 241-492 com periodicidade mensal. Resultados: A brigada era composta por 184 colaboradores: 114 médicos (62,0%) e 70 graduados e técnicos em saúde (38,0%). Predominou o sexo masculino (61,4%) e a média de idade foi de 43 anos. Mais de 255.940 pacientes foram tratados, deles 116.234 relacionados ao COVID-19. Foram realizadas 1.294 intervenções cirúrgicas, 320 partos e 44.692 procedimentos de enfermagem; o que contribuiu para salvar a vida de 1.519 pacientes, entre eles 66% eram positivos para COVID-19. A morte de 643 pacientes foi lamentada, 97% devido a complicações desta doença. O trabalho realizado por epidemiologistas, eletromédicos, bioestatísticos e farmacêuticos foi destaque. Conclusões: É reconhecido o meritório trabalho realizado pela Brigada Médica Cubana "Henry Reeve" no enfrentamento ao COVID-19 e sua contribuição às instituições do Sistema Nacional de Saúde da África do Sul.

Módulo Cartas Avales para el Sistema Informático Colpadi de la Unidad Central de Cooperación Médica. Cuba / Module Letters Guarantees for the Colpadi Computer System of the Central Unit for Medical Cooperation. Cuba

La Unidad Central de Cooperación Médica (UCCM) es un centro de excelencia del Ministerio de Salud Pública (MINSAP). Este centro se encarga de garantizar el cumplimiento de los compromisos internacionales contraídos por el MINSAP y el Gobierno de la República de Cuba, en el área de la cooperación médica a través de la asistencia técnica y docente. El objetivo de este desarrollo es implementar un módulo para el Sistema Integral para la Gestión de Información en la Colaboración Médica Cubana (Colpadi), que optimice el proceso de gestión de cartas avales que se generan en la UCCM. El trabajo que se desarrolla contribuye de forma positiva al concepto de excelencia de la institución. El proyecto tiene un enfoque cualitativo, con alcance descriptivo, de tipo retrospectivo y diseño no experimental, de corte transversal. Se emplean los métodos científicos de observación y análisis documental. Además, la implementación utilizando el Lenguaje Unificado de Modelado (UML) y la metodología RUP de desarrollo de software. Como resultado se obtiene un módulo, como parte del sistema informático Colpadi, que optimiza el proceso de gestión de cartas avales. Las cartas avales se entregan a los cooperantes internacionalistas del MINSAP en sus vacaciones y al finalizar su misión en el exterior. Con la implementación de la aplicación informática se obtienen varias ventajas como la automatización de los vuelos de entrada, las solicitudes automáticas para el procesamiento de las cartas avales, los reportes estadísticos y el tratamiento de la información(AU)

Central Unit for Medical Cooperation (UCCM) is a center of excellence of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP). This center is in charge for guaranteeing compliance with the international commitments made by MINSAP and the Government of the Republic of Cuba, in the area of ​​medical cooperation through technical and educational assistance. This research contributes positively to the institution's concept of excellence. Its objective is to implement a module for the Colpadi computer system, which it optimizes the process for managing the guarantee letters generated at the UCCM. The research has a qualitative approach, with a descriptive scope, of a retrospective type and a non-experimental, cross-sectional design. Scientific observation and documentary analysis methods are used; as well as UML, and RUP software development methodology in its implementation. As a result, a module is obtained, as part of the Colpadi computer system, which it optimizes the guarantee letter management process. The letters of guarantee are delivered to the internationalist aid workers of the MINSAP, on their vacations and at the end of their mission abroad. With the implementation of the computer application, several advantages are obtained, such as the automation of the incoming flights, the automatic requests for the processing of the letters of guarantee, the statistical reports and the treatment of the information(AU)

Covid-19 in the Caribbean: lessons learned from the ongoing international medical and scientific cooperation.

The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis presents as human, social and economic challenges. The advent of Covid-19, unfortunate as it is, has highlighted the need for close medical cooperation between states. Medical cooperation is the key counter to fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cuban Response to the Ebola Epidemic in West Africa: Lessons in Solidarity.

In December 2013 the first case of Ebola appeared in Guinea. In September 2014 the United Nations (UN) and its specialized agency the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a call for medical collaboration in response to the medical crisis and social disaster caused by the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa. Cuban authorities responded immediately to the call by offering specialized help for the epidemic, in collaboration with WHO. A group of 256 Cuban doctors, nurses and other health professionals provided direct care during the Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Equatorial Guinea from October 2014 to April 2015. This paper explains the main features of the Cuban health system, describes the development of Cuba's international medical cooperation approach, and highlights the work done by Cuban health collaborators in addressing the damage caused by the Ebola epidemic. Information used includes reports and documents of the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba, reports of WHO and PAHO, and articles published in scientific journals and newspaper articles. The response of the Cuban medical teams to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is only one example of the Cuban efforts to strengthening health care provision in areas of need throughout the world.

Experiencia cubana en Cooperación Sur-Sur / The Cuban experience in the south-south cooperation

Hoy se viven situaciones de crisis a nivel mundial pero la económica financiera es la que amenaza con serias repercusiones a nivel global sobre todos los aspectos del desarrollo de una nación, incluida la salud. Una de las peores consecuencias ya palpable es la reducción de la Ayuda Oficial al Desarrollo que proviene de las 22 naciones más ricas del mundo y se dirige hacia los países pobres y de bajos recursos. Se pretende profundizar en la importancia de la Cooperación Sur-Sur para enfrentar situaciones de crisis y dentro de ella, un buen ejemplo de la efectividad en este tipo de cooperación lo constituye Cuba. Esta cooperación se realiza mediante la colaboración triangulada entre países del sur, transferencia de tecnologías y ayuda médica, derivados del desarrollo del Sistema Nacional de Salud cubano, además de ser parte de la política exterior del país. Cuba es un ejemplo de ayuda solidaria y desinteresada que se desarrolla desde el año 1963 con buenos resultados y demuestra que la cooperación es una vía eficaz de solución a los problemas de salud de las poblaciones siempre y cuando se trate de una ayuda justa y solidaria, dirigida a fortalecer las capacidades nacionales y acorde con las prioridades del país que la recibe.

The people are living today amid difficult situations caused by the world crisis; however, the financial-economic crisis is the one threatening the nations with serious global impacts, mainly in all aspects of development including health. One of the worst tangible consequences is the reduction of the Official Assistance for Development given by the 22 wealthiest countries to the poor and the resource-limited nations. This paper was intended to delve into the importance of the south-south cooperation to face crisis situations and a good example of the effectiveness of this type of collaboration is Cuba. This cooperation is based on the triangled collaboration among the southern countries, the transfer of technologies and the medical assistance derived from the development of the Cuban Health Care System, which is also part of its foreign policy. Cuba is an example of solidarity and unselfish assistance that has been put into practice since 1963 with good results. At the same time, it has proved that cooperation is an effective way of solving the health problems of the populations whenever this assistance is just and cooperative and aimed at strengthening the national capacities according to the priorities of the recipient country.

Evolución de la colaboración médica cubana en 100 años del Ministerio de Salud Pública / Evolution of the Cuban medical co-operation during one hundred years of existence of the Ministry of Public Health

El 28 de enero de 2009 el Ministerio de Salud Pública de Cuba cumplió 100 años de su creación, el más antiguo del continente americano, y en ese marco se pretende describir la evolución y trascendencia de la colaboración médica cubana. Se fundamenta el desarrollo de la solidaridad desde la creación del Ministerio y como después de 1959 se convierte en un principio del Sistema Nacional de Salud. Se profundiza en las diferentes modalidades por la que ha transitado la colaboración médica y que se desarrollaron de acuerdo a las transformaciones económico-sociales del país, la evolución cronológica de la historia de la colaboración médica y docente junto con los diferentes elementos que incidieron en sus modificaciones y perfeccionamiento. Se exponen las perspectivas de esta colaboración en el siglo XXI, centrada en la formación de recursos humanos de la salud como única vía posible para alcanzar un desarrollo sostenible de la salud de las poblaciones

On January 28th 2009, the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba celebrated its 100th anniversary, being the oldest in the American continent. In this framework, it was intended to describe the evolution and importance of the Cuban medical co-operation and to substantiate the progress of solidarity since the inception of the Ministry and how this concept turned into a principle of the national healthcare system after the triumph of the Revolution. The different modalities of the medical co-operation, which developed according to the economic and social changes in the country, the chronological evolution of the history of the medical and teaching co-operation and the various elements that had an impact on the changes and the improvement of this co-operation were deeply analyzed. The prospects of this co-operation in the 21st century, centered on the formation of human resources in the field of healthcare, is the only possible way to attain sustainable development in the populationïs health