Family doctor: Four Decades of a Humanist Program

Exactly 40 years ago today, on January 4, 1984, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, inaugurated one of the most significant initiatives in the field of public health: the family doctor program.

It was a comprehensive plan to increase comprehensive medical care in the family and community environment.

The official website of the Ministry of Public Health in Cuba highlights that the program is the most complete expression of the application of a primary care strategy after the victory of January 1959; with a focus on the improvement, organization, quality and efficiency of health services within the much-needed family medicine.

An article published today by the website states that Dr. Ailuj Casanova Barreto, National Director of Primary Health Care (PHC) of Minsap, highlighted that currently higher levels of response are scheduled in the 11 5 48 clinics in the country, we are committed to increasing people's satisfaction and raising their quality of life with sensitivity and detailed care.

«The more than 43 thousand doctors of this leading public health Program, also known as residents and specialists of Comprehensive General Medicine, nurses and other workers, are distinguished by their dedication and commitment to the sector, which allows us to maintain this achievement and attain indicators of excellence," the official stressed.

In this regard, she summarized that in 2023 modifications were approved in the Family Doctor and Nurse Program: a Regulation for Polyclinics and likewise another for Primary Health Care. Likewise, a plan of measures by strategic components was implemented and contextualized to improve the work.

"Differentiated monitoring in the districts furthest from the clinic, with the assignment of a qualified nurse or community nursing specialist, is another of the steps promoted in the context of the four decades of the Program", adds Casanova Barreto, while at the same time promotes the enactment of health fairs and health plans initiatives in those areas with difficult mountainous access, Plan Turquino and neighborhoods in vulnerable situations, which favor not only responding to health needs, but also carrying out education and encouraging actions.

«As a priority, she explained, the infrastructure problems identified in the medical offices were assessed, where we accomplished to advance with the support of companies, local government, and the community, in a total of 1,035 properties; and alternatives for the recovery of existing clinical and non-clinical furniture are currently being coordinated with the national industry,” stated the doctor.

And he concluded by assuring that the Family Doctor and Nurse Program "is still in development, it’s perfectible and subject to transformations to face new challenges and make those founding ideas of our Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz flourish from infinite dedication."

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff