Medical students at the isolameinto center located at the University of Medical Sciences in Gauntánamo. Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee.
On January 9, 2021 Sheyla was a little sad. On that day, two isolation centers were being organized at the University of Medical Sciences, due to the increase in positive cases of covid-19 at Guantánamo, but he could not join his colleagues. She was in contact with a positive case and was waiting for the result of her PCR, she felt distressed because she knew it could be helpful.
Sheyla Maria Herrera Ortega is a second-year medical student. How much his test turned out to be in addition to caring for suspicious patients. The love for medicine comes in the blood, because her parents are nurses “The punctures and the uniform I’ve been seeing since I was little and that’s why I decided to be the house doctor. They help me when I’m studying, because we share the passion for the profession,” she says.
In these months of confrontation with the covid -19, about 100 medical, dental, nursing and technical students have been linked to work in isolation centers, others have been linked to other actions without neglecting individual study.
“It has been difficult to lead teaching virtually, but medical students have not stopped scientific events, we shared the research results through Telegram. We have voluntarily participated in vaccination and active investigation. Also in the guard corps of the General Teaching Hospital working on the flow chart of patients so that they do not crowd. Others in admission to expedite the documentation of the dead, “says the future doctor.
“We are the same in every place. It has been difficult to bring everything, not to mention we also need it in our homes.” Yobanis, the teacher, is proud of his boys, because they have become stronger in the midst of the pandemic. Sheyla, for example, feels changed “It’s difficult to face covid-19, I’ve gained consciousness and no one can tell me a story anymore, I have arguments to deal with the information circulating on the networks today, because I’m living it from within”
There are difficult times, “in the inquiries I have found people scared, very worried and I am sorry not to be able to approach to console, but I still talk to them, I try to clarify their doubts, and visit them often so that they do not feel alone. So I have created ties with the communities I research, for them I am more than a student, I am almost family. “
“We take on a lot of responsibility working in isolation centers.” On Sunday, February 14, a group of students came in to treat suspicious patients “imagine the engagement, some couples celebrated their February 14 in the red zone, because they were entering this turn.” Other difficult times to be separated from families was Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. “From the FEU we prepared gifts for relatives of students who were in isolation centers. Mothers cried a lot, but felt a huge pride for your children “
In front of the hospital where the positive cases are, there have been concerts and activities by amateur artists “to bring a little art to people and make them feel a little happy, in so much pain.”
When he turned 20 he was in solitary confinement, and that same day his father left an internationalist mission in Angola. “I couldn’t see it, and it’s hard for my mom because we’re alone in the house now,” but Sheyla feels helpful “it was what I had to do.”
Sheyla Maria Herrera Ortega is a second-year medical student. Photo: Karina Rodríguez Martínez / Cubadebate.
Medical students are involved in cleaning tasks and assisting in other tasks in isolation centers. Photo: Courtesy of the interviewee.
José Andrés is not afraid of the covid-19
José Andrés Sillalón, 21, is in his fourth year of medicine. Photo: Karina Rodríguez Martínez / Cubadebate.
José Andrés has a little more experience dealing with patients, he is in his fourth year of Medicine, but he was not prepared for covid-19 either. Yet “We were extreme hygienic measures to protect ourselves,” the “chilli” is unpredictable and is in the least expected place.
It was February of 2021 and they had spent hard days working inside the isolation center, but already their rotation was over, they could rest at home, see their parents, or at least that’s what he thought. A positive PCR will cloud all plans. José Andrés Sillalón, 21, had contracted covid-19 “I spent a week hospitalized, receiving treatment, although I was asymptomatic.”
In an instant the roles were reversed, the medical student became the patient, but this situation did not take long to reinvest. Upon leaving his admission he returned to isolation center to work. “That’s when I lost my fear of the disease. I came back for my patients, the province was going through a difficult time, due to the rise in cases and it was my duty to help.” His parents did not want him to return and even made him “a little war,” but his vocation was stronger.
One of the hottest days of this year, José Andrés in pajamas, a diving suit, goggles and two nasobucos, went up and down stairs in the corridors of the University, which had also become an isolation center. That day he felt bad again “I did an antigen test, which turned negative, but this time I was no longer scared, I guapeado to the covid-19 in front.”
Young medicine in the center of isolameinto. José Andrés in the center of the photo. Courtesy of the interviewee.
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