Many questions and concerns were raised since the afternoon of March 13, when they officially announced the first two cases of COVID-19 In Venezuela. In a country with a deficit health system in services, supplies and even health personnel, the eyes turned to that sector. It was not long before voices from doctors, nurses, and non-governmental organizations were heard to warn and alert about the precarious working conditions to respond to the pandemic.
The numbers of the National Survey of Hospitals 2019 already confirmed it: water failures in 70% of hospital facilities, electrical service failures in 63% and 60% of emergencies at the hands of resident doctors; 30% are specialists and 10% are comprehensive community doctors.
The images of health personnel in special bioprotection suits became familiar to people; first, from distant China and later from Italy, Spain, and many other countries that were beginning to be part of the pandemic. The experiences of these cities were also known, where the fight began to protect the so-called first line, that where the health personnel are attending to the cases of COVID-19.
These experiences were of little use in preventing human losses in the front line In Venezuela. The state of Zulia, from its capital Maracaibo and other cities, has paid with the lives of 22 health professionals for the lack of preparation to protect staff. As of July 31, the health union has 36 fewer colleagues.
Health centers in Maracaibo they are increasingly alone.
Health professionals in the state have enough difficulties Zulia: shortage of medical supplies, limited provision of biosafety equipment and threats. Now, part of the staff works in the middle of the duel, hoping that the situation will pass soon.
Since Cocuyo effect We want to pay tribute to health personnel who died due to COVID-19. This is a tribute to the doctors and nurses of Zulia, the most affected entity and other localities, in recognition of the professional dedication and added to the mourning that affects their family and friends.
Epidemiologists have died, but also orthopedists, pediatricians, gynecologists, anesthesiologists. The first two professionals who died in Maracaibo were Dr. Samuel Viloria, an epidemiologist, who died on June 17 and three days later, Dr. Solangel Scandela, a pediatrician.
In this first broadcast we include a doctor and a paramedic from the Capital District Fire Department, a surgeon from Falcón state and an epidemiologist from Bolívar.
For all the health union, our respects, solidarity and hugs.
Manuel Romero (+24/06/2020)
Doctor graduated from the University of Zulia (LUZ) and specialist in gynecology. She worked for 30 years in a private medical center in Maracaibo. His colleagues at the Sagrada Familia and Vital Health Clinical Center remember him as a person who stood out for his good humor, always giving smiles and making jokes in the corridors of the clinic and the surgery ward. He treated his patients with the same jocularity.
“God be with you always teacher. We mourn him and will miss him in the corridors of the clinic, ”gastroenterologist Edgar Parra, a member of the Venezuelan Society of Gastroenterology, wrote on Twitter on the day of his colleague’s death.
Felipe Silva (+03/07/2020)
Era surgical instrumentation and teacher. His guild remembers him as a good friend, who dedicated his life to Autonomous Service University Hospital of Maracaibo (Sahum) and the training of specialists. He was always ready to help his colleagues.
One of her students, Mariot Bermúdez Soto, to date with more than 30 years of career in the surgical area, describes Silva as a gentleman. I was always on good humor and he dedicated himself to looking for solutions to the problems that arose in his daily work.
“Excellent professional, attentive and gentle with patients. It gave that security that every pre-surgical patient needs. Always very eloquentI don’t remember seeing him in a bad mood. “
Nellys Hernández de Villasmil (+ 09/07/2020)
Villasmil trained dozens of anesthesiologists from the LUZ Medicine Graduate Division. One of the people who knew her, Dr. Freddy Pachano, describes her as a person dedicated and with extreme delicacy for children. He stood out for his charisma, personality and good will. “When the doctor Nelly and Dr. Noris were on duty everything was wonderful. An excellent duo ”.
“His death mourns the entire medical union and the Graduate Medicine Division,” said the doctor. Pachano, surgeon and postgraduate chief of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zulia (LUZ), on his Twitter account.
Nadezka González (+10/07/2020)
The nurse worked in the Noriega Trigo hospital in San Francisco (Zulia). He spent several years serving in Delivery room and then he specialized in hemotherapy. She was part of the staff of the Western Hematological Institute and the Center for Cardiovascular Specialties of Maracaibo. Then she opened her private blood bank at the Zulia Clinic.
Her co-worker and friend, Candelaria González, remembers her as a very joyful and hard-working, always ready to help. She says that once a boy with sepsis (a very strong immune response to an infection) urgently needed blood donors. To help him, he opened the blood bank on a Saturday and attended to donors. He always had a smile and a joke to tell.
Ramón Galue (+15/07/2020)
The specialist in neurology and internal medicine worked in the Military Hospital of Maracaibo Tcnel. Francisco Valbuena. He was a doctor assimilated to the Bolivarian National Armed Forces with the rank of lieutenant colonel. In his more than 20-year career, he served as an assistant to the Army’s Social Security and Welfare Service. He treated and operated dozens of cases of Parkinson’s disease together with Dr. Sergio Sacchettoni.
His sister, Ysabel Galue, defines him as a very respectful person. His companions assure that he was a gentleman and, as a “good maracucho”, very affable. He liked jokes, jokes. Very collaborative, he did not deny his services to anyone. Was a fervent catholic, with special devotion to the Virgin Mary and the archangels. Frequently, it was repeated: “I can do everything in Christ, who strengthens me.”
Juan Gabriel Lara Rincón (+06/07/2020)
Lara worked as a paramedic in Salud Chacao and was part of the Capital District Fire Department. He trained at the Bomberil Technological University Institute (Iutb) in Caracas and did specialized courses in Pre-Hospital Care. His wife, Dr. Emirna Hernández Castillo, says that the health worker had a great sense of humor and he was very proactive.
“Coronamos” was his recurring word in conversations with friends, family and coworkers. He was always courteous, thoughtful, even invented songs to cheer up those close to him.
Ana Henríquez (+22/07/2020)
Gynecologist and obstetrician. Fertility specialist and breast cancer survivor. She worked in the Gynecology and Obstetrics unit at the Santiago de León Clinic, Libertador municipality of Caracas, for more than 20 years.
Some patients expressed their regret at the death of the doctor and their thanks. “Excellent professional. It was the channel that God used so that, after three miscarriages of my wife, she would find the cause and get my son to be born 23 years ago. We will be forever grateful to you, ”commented one patient.
Those who had the opportunity to meet her highlight her human quality, humility and simplicity. Some of her patients appreciate her support and expertise in bringing her children to the world. One of her friends and patients, Scarlet Calza, commented that Henríquez is a role model for other doctors because of her great vocation. She had a sweet character, albeit a strong one when it came to training future obstetricians.
Livia Carrión (+25/07/2020)
In its more than 35 years of career, the epidemiologist provided services at the Ruiz y Páez University Hospital Complex in Ciudad Bolívar (Bolivar). She was director of Epidemiology at the entity’s Public Health Institute (ISP). One of her friends, who asked not to be identified, told Cocuyo effect that the doctor, “as good fighter ”, he was still at the forefront, despite already being in a position to retire. He supported the formation of the relay generation.
Yurilís Fuentes said that Dr. Carrión was an extraordinary person, kind, gentle and selfless at your work. The epidemiologist continues in the hearts and thoughts of her friends and coworkers, as her friend explained. Inés Figueredo.
“You continue in each day of work for those most in need, in each Public Health action, in each hospital corridor, and especially, in the hearts of your coworkers, in the good memories of those who share your laughter, your jokes and you goodness”.
Juan De la Cruz Barreno (+30/07/2020)
The traumatologist graduated from the VIII promotion of surgeon doctors from the Francisco de Miranda National Experimental University (Unefm). He then specialized as a traumatologist and orthopedist at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV). He was part of the Traumatology service of the Rafael Calles Sierra Hospital from the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security (Ivss) and the La Familia Clinic in Punto Fijo (Falcón).
Her friend shared that Barreno was a great friend and roommate, an excellent professional and an “exceptional human being”. He was characterized by being very humble and willing.
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