The Experience of the "Henry Reeve” Cuban Medical Brigade in the fight against COVID-19 in South Africa

Abstract

Introduction: South Africa, the nation most affected by SARS-CoV-2 in Africa, requested medical assistance from Cuba. The Henry Reeve International Contingent of Specialized Doctors in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics sent a brigade to strengthen medical collaboration. Objective: review the composition of the group, the assistance activities carried out, experience and impact of the work supported by the "Henry Reeve" Cuban Medical Brigade in South Africa to confront COVID-19 and other health problems. Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between April 2020 and May 2021. Some instruments were built to collect daily and weekly information, as well as the Minsap model 241-492 with monthly periodicity. Results: the brigade was made up of 184 collaborators: 114 physicians (62.0%) and 70 health technicians and graduates (38.0%). Sex male was predominant (61.4%) and the average age was 43 years. More than 255,940 patients were attended at the field hospital, of which 116,234 were COVID-19 confirmed patients. A total of 1,294 surgical interventions, 320 deliveries and 44,692 nursing procedures were performed, which contributed to saving the lives of 1,519 patients, 66% of whom were COVID-19 positive. The death of 643 patients was regretted, 97% of them due to disease complications. The work carried out by epidemiologists, medical equipment maintenance specialists, biostatisticians and pharmacists was highlighted. Conclusions: the meritorious work carried out by the "Henry Reeve" Cuban Medical Brigade in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its support to health institutions of the South African National Health System is acknowledged.

Keywords

• cooperación médica cubana
• brigada médica henry reeve
• covid-19
• sudáfrica