SURINAME , June 28. A new mission of Cuban doctors will work the coming two years on preventive health care in rural areas of Suriname. The doctors will live and work in Djoemoe, Debike, Drietabiki, Brokopondo Centrum and Wageningen. The doctors working in the interior are under the supervision of the Medical Mission (Medische Zending) and those working in Wageningen are supervised by the Regional Health Care Service (Regionale Gezondheidsdienst). Dr. Eddy Millán Escalona, Head of the Medical Brigade, said to surinamese newspaper De Ware Tijd that the doctors will primarily provide first line health care, but that promoting a healthy life style will also be a point of focus, and will live between the people and be available 24 hours a day. They must research the life style of the local community and teach the people healthy habits." Dr. Millan has visited the areas where the doctors will work and he thinks that some of the medical problems there are related to bad living habits. The doctors must also implement HIV/AIDS eradication programs and programs aimed at environmental awareness and health. They will also train nurses, technicians and other paramedical personnel in the areas. The mission is part of an agreement between the Cuban government and the Surinamese Ministry of Health. The team consists of five general doctors, the mission coordinator, and five other medical specialists. The specialists work in the Academic Hospital, the 's Lands Hospital , the Pharmaceutical Inspection, and in the Epidemiology Department of the Bureau of Public Health. In the past two months the doctors had internships in different hospitals. After an intensive course in Sranantongo (the local language of the country) they have now been stationed at their posts. ( Cubaminrex – Embacuba Suriname )
|