Chavez Thanks Cuba for Supporting Barrio Adentro Health Program By Estela McCollin In visiting the Sierra Maestra Ibis Pinto General Diagnosis Center (CDI), Chavez said that the Mision Barrio Adentro healthcare program would have been unthinkable under capitalism and without Cuba's support. The program provides free health services to about 83 percent of the population, regardless of income. Health Minister Eugenia Saderm, who accompanied the president at the CDI, said the 533 such clinics nationwide that are part of the Barrio Adentro II have treated 55.33 million patients. The Sierra Maestra Ibis Pinto CDI has treated more than 6,000 patients since its opening on eptember 25, 2010 in La Sierrita, in the Caracas neighborhood of 23 de Enero. The Barrio Adentro program has had Cuban support from the start, and consists of a comprehensive project for health, interrelated with education, sports, culture and social security. The program consists of several stages: Barrio II was devoted to creating 600 new CDIs, 600 rehabilitation centers and 35 high-tech facilities, while Barrio III was focused on expanding the hospital network. Barrio IV was launched in 2006 with specialized centers like the Children's Cardiology Center in Caracas. (Cubaminrex-PL)
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