Karel Mainegra arrived at the Gustavo Aldereguía polyclinic touched by an emergency. He was looking for a peripheral lamina analysis for a child. He found his way among the patients and managed to find the hematology laboratory but his luck ran out when he heard that these tests were not being carried out.

As a citizen of Las Tunas, she said, she was interested in this unexpected event, especially because the health of a little boy was being put on hold. The girl dressed in green explained to him, with great sorrow that the laboratory was closed and despite the efforts of the center, it had not been possible to re-establish the service.

In the middle of the dialogue, she noticed that the ventilation equipment was not working and the laboratory technician again told her that the workers of a MSMS tried to repair it, but they concluded that it was no longer possible as neither the compressor nor the fan could be repaired.

Karel confesses to 26, without any hint of arrogance, that he considered the need to reverse the situation. As a member of the Trade Union Bureau of Lodging and Private Restaurants belonging to the Provincial Hotel and Tourism Trade Union, he had the idea of calling on his people to help with the polyclinic, an investment that would directly benefit the health area.

“This is not the first time we have contributed to hospital institutions, emphasizes Mainegra, and the members immediately joined the project with resources and new ideas. The first responses came from the non-agricultural cooperative Myatur, bars such as Bella Vita, El Mónaco, El Caché, Torres Night, Casa Alta, 672, Las Brazas, Río Chico, Cocinarte... and many more owners who have proven human quality.”

“We were in charge of buying air conditioning equipment and at the same time, we painted and restored the electrical system. The contribution sought to revitalize the premises and make it more functional and comfortable. But it doesn't end there, we have proposed to sponsor the polyclinic and support all activities that require our help.”

“The truth is that we worked together with the staff of the center, who gave us a lesson in how they defend the Aldereguía, in their sense of belonging beyond their working hours and without remuneration for overtime. I guarantee that we came out of it fuller and humbler as human beings.”

DOORS IN 

The revitalization of the Hematology examination area in the Gustavo Aldereguía polyclinic ensures the functioning of the Clinical Laboratory for the medical attention of the 50,000 inhabitants of the Buena Vista district.

The Clinical Laboratory graduate, Mirielis Moreno Pérez, who is in charge of the Laboratory, assures that with its reopening, the attention to the population that was waiting for hemoglobin, hematocrit, peripheral laminae, and other studies, vital for the follow-up of pregnant women and patients with anemia, will be extended.

“We are very committed to our patients, we know their needs, and since the department was closed, a large part of the population was referred to another polyclinic to guarantee the service, especially pregnant women, newborns, and young children.”

“When we found out that we would receive help from the Tourism Union we joined in and the results came straight away. Today we have an improved service and the will to improve our services.”

MANY HANDS AND THE SAME COMMITMENT

Oscar Fidel Rosales Carreño, secretary of the Trade Union Bureau of Lodging and Private Restaurants, explained that contributing to the community is a goal that they defend and share collectively. They have been working together for years in the field of solidarity as part of the Delivering Love Project, dedicated to contributing to health in the province.

“We welcomed the idea with enthusiasm and affection. We came to the Gustavo Aldereguía Polyclinic intending to provide better health care for the community. The Tarea de Grandes movement of Las Tunas’ people also invited us,” says Rosales Carreño.

“The collective is characterized by its willingness to step forward in the face of any obstacle that threatens the wellbeing of the community. I can assure you that from the exchanges we have taken away an invaluable part, which is the gratitude of the people, that is priceless. We have been to the pediatric hospital, the intensive care unit, and the oncohematology ward and we have shared with the patients in nephrology and cardiology.”

The Trade Union Bureau of Lodging and Private Restaurants has been in operation since 2010, they were the first to affiliate in the country and their performance has distinguished them as a reference at the national level. They are made up of 16 union sections, including six MSMEs, five private restaurants, and three union sections of room renters, with the currency and national currency projects.

Oscar Fidel proudly defends the value of his people: “The solidarity of Las Tunas is weaving beautiful pages and how fortunate that we can, with our modest resources, contribute to the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”