New Transport Service for the Sick in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba

This new service obeys a Joint Resolution of the Public Health and Transport Ministries, in force since 1996

A new transportation service is now available in Sancti Spiritus, central Cuba, for those patients who need to travel from local municipalities to the health care units located in the provincial capital.

Pedro Julio García, director of the Integrated Medical Emergency System in the territory, told ACN that this benefit is offered to those who do not need to travel in ambulances to attend doctors appointments, undergo procedures or diagnostic tests.

This new service obeys a Joint Resolution of the Public Health and Transport Ministries, in force since 1996, and, at the same time, complements here the bus services that for years have been used by patients referred to Havana.

According to the aforementioned Resolution, the cost of the trip from the municipalities to the provincial health centers depends on the public transportation fare in each locality.

The trip to Havana is free of charge for the patients, although the Health Ministry pays to that of Transport an average of four thousand Cuban pesos every month. The Health Ministry also pays the trip of the patients who need hemodialysis treatment in Sancti Spiritus and Yaguajay.
 

Taken from ACN, and translated by Escambray