http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1739Caracas, Venezuela, August 29, 2005 —Venezuela’s President Chavez said yesterday that his government would completely overhaul its ailing health care system in the next two years, mostly by purchasing state-of-the-art medical equipment from abroad. The plan, known as Barrio Adentro III (Inside the Barrio III), involves the expenditure of nearly $2.5 billion from Central Bank reserves that the National Assembly recently dedicated to a $6 billion special development fund.
Chavez made the announcement during his weekly television program Aló Presidente, which took place in one of Caracas’ military hospitals. Chavez took the opportunity to announce that all of Venezuela’s 13 military hospitals would from now on be open to the public.
Already since the time before Chavez came into office in 1998, Venezuela’s hospital and medical system was considered to be in a shambles. Insufficient hospital beds and supplies meant that patients had to bribe doctors and to bring their own medical supplies and instruments if they wanted treatment. The situation in the country’s hospitals had hardly changed during Chavez’s presidency. However, in early 2003 the government began Mission Barrio Adentro, which brought tens of thousands of Cuban doctors to Venezuela to provide free primary care in the poorest neighborhoods, which reduced the pressure on hospitals somewhat.
Two months ago, Chavez announced the creation of Barrio Adentro II, which involved the construction of community clinics in the country’s poorest neighborhoods. In contrast, Barrio Adentro III, is dedicated towards the overhaul of the existing hospital system, where all hospital care would be completely free of charge.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
