September 30, 2007
Venezuela begins construction of six new hospitals

(Venezuelanalysis.com) - "Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez inaugurated the construction of six new hospitals across the country on his national TV and radio program Aló Presidente. The president praised the results of his government's health program, Barrio Adentro, and promised to continue increasing access to health care and education in the country (.)

'Today we are beginning the construction of 15 hospitals that are going to have two purposes. They are all going to be general hospitals, but each one of them is going to have a different specialty,' said Chávez from the hospital construction site in central state of Barinas.

As part of the fourth phase of the national health system Barrio Adentro, the government has announced the construction of 15 advanced general hospitals, each with a different specialty. On Sunday the president inaugurated the construction of the first six of these hospitals to be finished over the next two years. These six will be specialized in toxicology, oncology, gastroenterology, urology, cardiology, and maternity, and will be spread out in six different states around the country.

Chávez hosted his TV and radio show from his home state of Barinas where he inaugurated the construction of the hospital to be built there. Specializing in toxicology, this hospital will have a total of 170 beds for general medicine, 30 beds for special cases, operating rooms, emergency room, intensive care, diagnostics, a heart care unit, a helicopter landing pad, and a hotel. The hospital will require an investment of Bs. 2.5 trillion (US$ 1.2 billion), much of which will come from the Fonden development fund.

'This hospital is going to be the same as the Infant Cardiology Hospital in Caracas, as will all of the 15 hospitals that we are announcing. This is Barrio Adentro 4, the third level of integrated health care for all the people of Venezuela,' said Chávez.

President Chávez went on to acknowledge the contributions of the more than 30,000 Cuban medical personnel that staff the Barrio Adentro health program across the country. Chávez assured that the Cuban doctors who have been working in the country over the last five years have saved more lives than in all of Venezuelan history and stressed that their aid has been worth 'much more' than what Venezuela sends Cuba in oil.

The president read some statistics about the Barrio Adentro health program, explaining that in 2007 the infant mortality rate dropped by almost 25 percent, saving the lives of some 1200 infants. Around 60 million medical treatments have been carried out, according to the statistics, and nearly 9 million people are receiving permanent rehabilitation through the program. In Caracas infant mortality decreased by 75 percent, according to government statistics.

Chávez criticized those who have accused him of 'giving money to Cuba,' calling them 'foolish.'

'If someone could add it up, dollar by dollar, cent by cent, what is worth more? The barrels of petroleum that we sell to Cuba, or this?' he asked, referring to the contributions of the Cuban medical personnel.

Chávez also warned private health clinics again about their prices. The Chávez government has been trying to apply price controls to the private clinics in the country, but Chávez admitted that he had been 'letting it go' lately to allow them to adjust. He assured that he would be forced to take further measures if the private medical sector did not follow the regulations (.)".