Development of the parasitology in the province of Camagüey, Cuba

Abstract

Introduction: A general overview throughout the 50-year history of Parasitology as a medical specialty in the Cuban province of Camagüey was carried out. It started in 1972 with the creation of Camagüey’s Provincial Center of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology up to the present.

Objective: To describe the development of Medical Parasitology in Camagüey during from 1972 to 2022. 

Methods: To this work, a review of documents about the history of the Camagüey’s Provincial Center of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Microbiology records, the Microbiology and Parasitology Chapter, as well as the experiences of all professionals, technicians and even those of the author were performed.

Results: Parasitology has developed over the years as a provincial reference laboratory for the diagnosis caused by parasites and also for teaching in general, favoring its work by updating and diagnosis of new parasites of medical importance in immune compromised patients and of all exotic parasite research of people from endemic areas, for their control and prevention, all of which allowed the realization and presentation of works and publications. For all this allowed the realization and presentation of works in various scientific events as well as publication in medical journals, thus demonstrating the testimony of all professional technical activity.

Conclusions: We present achievements, satisfactions, dissatisfactions and benefits, which favored epidemiological surveillance and control of these diseases in risk groups in our province and in other nearby ones, thus allowing the scientific development of its technicians and professionals.