There are No Reagents for Clinical Analysis in Cuban Hospitals

There are No Reagents for Clinical Analysis in Cuban Hospitals / Ignacio
Estrada
Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada

By: Ignacio Estrada Cepero, Independent Journalist

For several days the clinical laboratory at the Pedro Kouri Institute of
Tropical Medicine has not collected samples for the laboratory test
known as Viral Load.

The well-known laboratory test is conducted in most cases of people
living with HIV/AIDS, in order to know the presence of the infective
load of this virus in the human body.

An unknown number of people are waiting their turn to have this
laboratory test performed. Many of these patients have scheduled their
tests up to six months in advance and arrive a the hospital only to be
told there is no of clinical reagent.

According to a practitioner at this Cuban hospital devoted to research
of tropical diseases and HIV/AIDS who wants to remain anonymous, this
laboratory test is important and he added that it is not the first time
this year the hospital has been forced to suspend the tests for lack of
chemical reagent.

The Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) is located on the
outskirts of Havana and to date is one of the most prestigious health
institutions in Cuba. At present its current director is Dr. Jorge Perez.

October 8 2012

http://translatingcuba.com/there-are-no-reagents-for-clinical-analysis-in-cuban-hospitals-ignacio-estrada/