LAS TUNAS – When the PCR report came back positive, her thoughts immediately went to the little head that had been waiting for her to grab that leg and lab coat within reach. Contagion is inevitable. At home, the disease spreads immediately, and for perhaps the first time Nella has felt real fear for her loved ones in the absence of other “emergencies”, but even then she can’t escape the constant ringing of her phone.
In the evening, her husband’s pneumonia rested peacefully, and the little guy itself was the master of vitality; however, an almost tangible sting emptied the calm of Ernesto Guevara, the director of the provincial hospital: “Oxygen has not yet Arrived”, “All beds are filled”, “We lost another ventilator”, “We are trying, but they keep coming…”.
Nearly three years after the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Marianela Zapata Romero hid her marks from our mics and remains concerned Her high heels made many other “demands”.
“Living on the front row of the worst epidemiological scenario in your province, feeling in so many ways connected to the responsibility to save a life or cover a dead body, this situation changes you and you can never get out of this situation…and Now, with more rest, you can remember one day or another, but the lump in the throat doesn’t pass, it leaves something positive, one learns and it grows stronger.”
between medicine and community
He confessed to 26 that he had his eyes opened in the Mexican community, which society imagines as a complex area and in the nuances of communities in vulnerable conditions, and that he was tired of lewd phrases, violence and Other behaviors that also make up the scene. Obvious disadvantages and few job options.
“I grew up in Mexico and I can assure you that I had a very good, healthy childhood and adolescence there, surrounded by group play and warmed by the humility of many good people. Of course, I took care of my family, but from that stage on, it was easy for me to think that I wanted to be a professional, study hard, and do some other stuff.
“I remember being a very scared girl who didn’t leave the house alone or go into dark alleys, maybe because of the reference to the environment I had to live in. In the middle of the special period, I entered with the stated goal of studying Prep territory. Not to mention the needs of my family or myself at the time, though they help remember where a person came from and who the hell was behind the facade.
“I have to say with great joy that I got my medical degree, which is a huge source of pride for my family and my neighbors. There they always called me ‘doctor’ and they would have done me a favor in any family Open the door, they don’t respect me when they have an emergency. With root, the connection is not lost”.
“Isola showed me the way…”
“I really liked gynecology, but when I rotated internal medicine, I met Professor Isola Sanchez and she showed me the path I wanted to follow. The comprehensive care, rigorous physical analysis, continuous research to reach a diagnosis, and then the calm and gratitude on the patient’s face. I owe that teacher today.
“I know that I will put a heavy study load on myself, but I can even admit that the process is challenging and rewarding. I love being a clinic, and despite the large medical burden of this industry, they call this profession the king of medicine.” Mother is not unreasonable.”
In 2007, Neyla debuted as a specialist, inadvertently serving as director of the emergency department, director of internal medicine, deputy director of various departments, until she took the top management position in the largest hospital organization in the province.
“I told you I was getting over my shyness. At first, I didn’t have the patience I have today, nor the diplomacy with which to handle delicate situations. Everything has been learned and I will continue the learning process. My drawings are formed bit by bit. Of course , I am always willing to do my best to face the challenge instead of giving up”
“Not behind the game”
With seriousness and humor, she recounts how she took command of Guevara with her four-year-old baby. She had to make a joint decision with her husband, as she was convinced she would need a lot of support to carry out the task, which had been demonstrated by shortages of medical supplies and would continue to intensify. The arrival of the worst health crisis in the country was not imagined.
“In a conversation with Dr. Rubén Pérez González, the former director of the hospital, to whom I owe a large part of my training, we felt that this phase was different from the others and that the challenges of daily It’s bigger and more urgent. It’s no secret that vital resources, medicines, are missing. The department is also not demotivated by wages that don’t meet the real needs of its employees, who also face the daily challenge of saving lives.
“But it’s not fair to just stay there. Today we are facing a shortage, but there is also a lot. The Minister was surprised when we presented the data on surgical activity because the restrictions extended to the whole country, but in Rastu Nass, we look for alternatives, we develop strategies, and we always think about the patient and don’t let anyone doubt it.
“You have to be proud of the creativity and talent of this team, who have a strong sense of belonging to this entity and an equally strong commitment to the people of Las Tunas. That keeps us alive.
“Of course, leadership like this is hard, but it can’t be done behind a desk. You have to browse the service, talk to the staff, find out their criteria and make them part of the decision. A lot of times, the lack of information hits us , it is not conducive to the optimal development of the process.
“You have to get people involved, that’s the best key to success. Also, build a good working team to take the lead. It doesn’t matter that they’re young and inexperienced, it’s commitment and a desire to overcome everyday obstacles.”
between hospital and council
“The possibility of becoming an MP surprised me, and it was another important decision that I had to coordinate with my husband because I needed his help. The challenges were enormous. First, as a doctor or a citizen, one lacks financial, Legal culture and many other tools that are needed to be able to fully feel the place of the National Assembly.
“I had to do a lot of research, read, ask, consult and most importantly listen, paying attention to the standards that were set in any situation. To this day I am still learning.
“The candidacy process was fruitful. I learned a lot from the exchange of companies, cooperatives, social development projects and other often overlooked terroir potentials in the province”.
The deputy assured, again, the weight on her high shoes. Now, the phones continue to ring, yet the issues that beckon her escape the hospital world, and she carries very real and hurtful words from her constituents, from those who believe her voice will reach a more privileged politics scene people.
She commented that the title has also shaped her skills and behavior, and of course, she is still who she is. “Scary, still kind of scary. Now I have more issues and my concerns are bigger, but my collective sense is more protected because I can share first-hand information with them and shed light on important issues.
“At the same time, I was judged more harshly. Some people said, “But there is a deputy director, how can such a thing happen in the hospital”, and personal calculations are even more difficult.”
family first
Nela Marianla is known to be a strong woman who broke the stereotypes that may have been the hallmark of the difficult communities, humble families, etc. she designed. But she doesn’t believe in stigma.
“I owe everything to my family, from the tiniest of teachings to the support I now face with so many responsibilities. Some people don’t know it, but when I leave the hospital or come back from Congress, I start cleaning the house, washing, Cleans and prepares food like any woman would.
Jonny survived the first ordeal and grew into a partner who met all my expectations and more. It’s easy to have a family of your own with him and everything is going well.
“I got pregnant at forty, which was too late. I was prepared for it and had the necessary resources. My relatives admit to me now that they were worried that time would pass. They didn’t tell me then, but they asked some problems.
Fortunately, the arrival of my baby has given me even more strength. I want to accompany you from examples. I defend the tradition that human beings can do whatever they want, you must win, hold on and take care of your essence, your emotions, the cleanest thing you have”.
From women to drivers and vice versa…
He recounts brilliantly about his missionary days in British Guiana, about the days when he brought a child into the world despite shaking hands and feet, about the team they formed in the Mahaikone region, and how patients traveled hundreds of miles miles to receive treatment. They think “Cubans do it with more love”.
His tone grew harsher as he recalled being there to demonstrate the brutality of racism against Blacks and Indians, which has also long endured. He admits there he learned to love Cuba even more.
“I was impressed by the violence against women, the backwardness of Muslims that limited the world of women, reducing it to objects, things and property. There I saw rape and assault with complete impunity, for Cubans For me, the experience is intense because unity doesn’t make you turn your head the other way and continue acting like nothing happened.
“You’ve asked me many times in my career if I felt disadvantaged as a woman and I can assure you I don’t. Maybe it’s because I imposed myself. I get it from my seniors Learned. I have an aunt who sometimes jokes that her prostate hurts because she is the head of the family. I have strong roots.
“I think you have to lead with a high level of respect and inclusivity. But we firmly believe that women have no weaknesses, rather, they are strengths and the driving force behind life”.