Venezuelan
President Nicolas Maduro stated early this week there will be reorganization for
their economic system to help boost their economy. Before the former President Hugo
Chavez died this past March, he put into play in 1999 their free universal
health care system. Unfortunately the strict currency controls he installed to
prevent capital flight, has caused struggles for the oil-rich country with under
stocked market shelves and inflation approaching 50 percent. Venezuela’s government
also controls the dollars needed to buy medical supplies and have not made
enough available causing shortages and overtaxing of equipment. Doctors have
reported that if they had the medicine, medical supplies and equipment that
they have been lacking, there would not be as many deaths from easy treatable
illnesses. Almost everything needed to mend and heal is in critically short supply:
ranging from needles to blood for transfusions. The country has 100 fully
functioning public hospitals, however, nine in 10 have just 7% of the supplies
they need. In the private hospitals and clinics they too are overburdened and
lacking supplies, of which 95% must be imported. This leaves patients in need
of critical care feeling helpless and scared as they clutch to their lives and
wait.
Dr.
Douglas Natera, president of the Venezuelan Medical Foundation stated their
frustration and how two months ago they asked the government to declare an
emergency, but failed to get back a response. Government price caps that were
set in July for common procedures have made it impossible for doctors to meet. Most
of Venezuela’s medical equipment is bought from Cuba, China, or Argentina,
rather than directly from the manufacturer, which has led to abuse and wasteful
spending. One doctor stated, “We have some antibiotics but they aren’t usually
appropriate for what you are specifically treating.” Around half of the public
health system’s doctors have quit, and some of them moved abroad. Various
public hospitals that were originally opened when Chavez took office have been
replaced by a system of walk-in clinics run by Cuban doctors who do not treat
serious illnesses. Due to inflation, there has been a wage crunch which has
left many of the understaffed and overworked medical support staff to exit as
well. At Maracay’s Central Hospital, one of Venezuela’s biggest medical
facilities, mattresses are missing, broken windows need repaired, paint is
peeling off walls, and leaking rusty pipes are left exposed. Medical students
revealed the scenes in their public hospitals of broken anesthesia machines,
closed cafeterias, foul odors, and water leaking from pipes which continues to
seep into patient’s rooms. Dr. Joes Felix Oletta, the previous health minister,
stated, “While the public health care system had its problems, the current Cuban-run
program of 1,200 clinics is a politically motivated waste of billions.” He went
on to say the Chavista system reversed important gains against tropical diseases
and Dengue fever is making a worrisome comeback. While President Maduro is
taking steps to get their economy back on track, the sick wait and pray to
receive the free health care that was promised to them.
Elaine Etzler
11/8/13
8:08 AM
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