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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE June 9, 2007
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| April 30, 2007 |
La Guaira, Venezuela – The Venezuelan Healthcare Revolution |
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| Peace Boat participants arrive at Fabricio Ojeda Clinica Popular |
It is nearly impossible to travel in Venezuela without hearing reference to the government's healthcare initiative ‘Barrio Adentro,’ meaning ‘mission into the neighborhood’. This revamping of the health care infrastructure to provide low or no-cost healthcare by the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security has made the Venezuelan healthcare system one of the most advanced in Latin America. On 30 April, 30 Peace Boat participants (of which 28 are medical professionals) had the opportunity to visit three different hospitals in the capital city of Caracas to gain a better insight into this revolutionary healthcare system. |
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| Michiko Miyamai is interviewed by Venezuelan press |
Since before Chavez came into office in 1998, Venezuela’s hospital and medical system was considered to be a disaster. Insufficient hospital beds and resources meant that patients had to bribe doctors or bring their own medical supplies or instruments if they wanted treatment. In early 2003 the government began Barrio Adentro, now in its fourth phase. President Hugo Chavez has often received praised for combating social exclusion and demonstrating new leadership in health. Tens of thousands of Cuban doctors have come to Venezuela to provide free primary health care in slum neighborhoods across the country, where they treat, train and live with working class Venezuelans. In addition to this, the Venezuelan government is helping barrio residents to attend medical school and return to practice in their own communities. |
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| Participants inspect some hospital facilities |
Underprivileged Venezuelans say the programme means they have access to medical services for the first time. But not, they stress, without their own participation. Neighborhoods form local health committees to oversee government-funded clinics. Barrio Adentro encourages patients to be active in the care of their own health. “Barrio Adentro was conceived as a way to bring medical services to the once excluded citizens... not to only build hospitals but to treat them and make sure they don’t get sick again, with prevention programmes in the community, to bring the highest level of healthcare to slums,” explains Maria Elena Coa, the hospital director of Fabricio Ojeda Clinica Popular. “Barrio Adentro brought to our nation the best technology, and even the poor can receive advanced healthcare. All diagnoses, treatment and x-rays are free.” |
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| Peace Boat donates toys and school supplies to the Children’s Cardiology Hospital |
In the afternoon Peace Boat participants visited the Cardiological Infatil Latin Americano Dr Gilberto Rodriguez Ochoa Center, a children’s cardiology hospital built in September 2006. Once again the government’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art facilities to the local community was apparent. Since its opening, this 130 bed hospital has treated over 650 patients including children from nearby countries such as Bolivia. There are currently around 40 patients being treated, and assistance is provided to both the patient and their family. For example on-site schooling, play rooms and even places for families to stay when their child is undergoing treatment are provided. |
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| A participant meets a hospital patient |
The last hospital visited was the military clinic Fuerte Tiuna. This was the first hospital to open in Caracas and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. This military hospital treats both army and civilians, and all medical staff from doctors to nurses are from Cuba. Cuba dispatches medical staff to about 45 countries around the world, and Venezuela accepts the most, with the number hovering around 13,000. Participants received a tour of the hospital including their rehabilitation ward which offers over 600 types of treatments. |
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| The rehabilitation center at Fuerte Tiuna |
After seeing three different types of hospitals, Peace Boat participants marveled at how one country and its people can receive benefits equally regardless of social class. “It's great to see profits from oil being fairly distributed to the people” said one former nurse, “and to see so many women working with pride in the healthcare system is uplifting.” Another participant, Tomomi Sanno commented that “the fact that medical treatment is free and poor people can receive treatment is wonderful. I felt the doctors worked together as a team and not as individuals. In Japan our impression of hospitals is grim but what I saw today was the opposite, it’s encouraging.” |
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