Within the framework of the debates at the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), the Minister of Popular Power for Health (MPPS), Magaly Gutiérrez Viña offers an interview on an allied channel TeleSUR where he commented on the progress of National Public Health System (SPNS) of Venezuela, compliance with economic sanctions imposed by the United States of America (USA), which hinder access to medical supplies and treatments.
During the three-day sessions, the minister met with high-level representatives and Ministers of Health from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay, to continue the mandate given to the South American. presidents, in the Brasilia Consensus of May 30, in addition to creating and maintaining political momentum and unity for preparing and responding to pandemics.
During the interview, the minister addressed the issue of economic sanctions against Venezuela, and criticized the criminal application of unilateral coercive measures affecting the health system of Venezuelans.
How does the economic blockade affect the health of Venezuela?
“Thank you to TeleSUR, for an important space where the voice of Venezuela, once again, will be raised so that the sanctions, which have created a negative impact on the Venezuelan people, slow us down, do not allow us to achieve ot the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which are discussed extensively in this important organization,” he stated.
He assured that the sanctions seek to create despair and trouble, but thanks to Bolivarian Peace Diplomacy who teaches Commander Hugo Chávez and which is still being implemented by the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro it is important to note that these spaces are raising the voice of Venezuela and explaining how it has become possible to achieve universal health coverage, in addition to discussing health protocols against tuberculosis, and finally, how to prepare for the next pandemic, from the National Health Public System (SPNS), which is made up of men and women in the homeland.
What is the message from Venezuela?
“The message is always the same, we have overcome the pandemic and post-pandemic we have reactivated all health services, at least for universal health coverage, we have Comprehensive Community Health Areas (ASIC), which, in turn, is composed of hospitals, outpatient clinics, first, second and third level popular clinics, which guarantee the care of our patients mapped in the territory.
Thanks to these ASICs, we know that in every territory of the 24 states of Venezuela, which are kidney patients, cancer patients, who need medicine, because they have chronic diseases, the prevention is most important thing, and the programs are applied. there, In other words, in that health center the 29 health programs of Venezuela are applied.”
Has Venezuela eradicated tuberculosis?
– Currently, the country is on the way to eliminate this disease, which has not yet been eradicated. “We have a small reduction and / or retreat, as a result of the coercive measures and that is why President Nicolás Maduro ordered and prioritized us within the plans of the country, so that we continue to take those equipment, treatment and treatment. issue of diagnosis , as well as deployments, because without health personnel in the communities, this disease will never be eradicated,” he said.
He emphasized that tuberculosis has no discrimination, age group, sex, religion, or social class; It is a disease that affects everyone equally, and “if one person is safe, everyone is safe.”
What is the role of Cuban doctors in the country?
“For more than 20 years, the union of Cuba and Venezuela has become more brotherly every day, we are one country, one flag, when you go to a Comprehensive Diagnostic Center (CDI), Rehabilitation Center, or go to a Center of High. Technology, there are Cuban professionals hand in hand, to help you in Venezuelan, to guarantee dignity and quality care, in addition, they have a part of teaching, the “Hugo Chávez Frías” Health Sciences University has in each CDI and SRI, Cuban doctors, who are teaching classes in different areas of health, and at this precise moment, 50 thousand students remain active, that is, we have about 13 thousand health professionals, of which 6 thousand are Cubans,” he said. .
How much is social spending on health?
– The country’s highest health authority has clarified that investment in the social sector accounts for more than 70% of the national budget. “Only 40% of this claim goes only to health, because it is a priority, if not the way to grow and achieve the millennium goals, what we dream of, built every day with foundations and built with the sweat of all Venezuelans, and all of us who participate in SPNS, doctors, nurses, orderlies, administrative staff and workers, who work every day and always put their hearts into it, because to work in health you need to have a Heart before anything else,” he said.
Finally, the Bolivarian Government successfully described the representation of Venezuela before this plenary session, and of course, the intervention of the head of the Health Ministry, Dr. Magaly Gutiérrez Viña, who, in the name of the Revolution and the Venezuelan people, positioned the leadership achieved during the 10 years of the government of the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro Moros.
