Holguín: Diabetes Care Center for the quality of life of patients
- Written by Lourdes Pichs Rodríguez
- Published in Health
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Photo: Lourdes Pichs
In the province of Holguín, there are around 60,000 people diagnosed with diabetes who receive specialized care at the Provincial Diabetes Care Center.
This center offers comprehensive consultations and admits patients who are newly diagnosed, decompensated, require surgery, or need specific ophthalmologic treatments. Its main goal is to provide complete medical attention to improve the quality of life of diabetic patients in the región.
The institution, located in the Peralta district of Holguín city, has been directed for nearly twenty years by Dr. Blass López Rubio, a renowned diabetologist. Under his leadership, a multidisciplinary team evaluates patients across about thirteen medical specialties, which allows for personalized treatment adjustments based on each patient’s condition.
Dr. López Rubio explained that most cases occur among women and older adults, although there are also men and children affected. He emphasized the importance of prevention through healthy eating habits, reducing sugar and saturated fat intake, engaging in physical activity, and maintaining a proper body weight — all essential measures for controlling the disease and preventing complications.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the center treated between 20 and 25 patients per week, but this number decreased to 10–15 due to precautionary measures for diabetic patients. In addition, the center offers daily consultations to patients from across the province and even from nearby regions such as Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, and Granma.
It is recommended that patients attend visits with a family member, as family support and participation in dietary habits are crucial for effective treatment.
Patient care is divided into different groups by age and condition: children under 18 are treated at the Octavio de la Concepción de la Pedraja Pediatric Hospital, pregnant women receive care at the Vladimir Ilich Lenin Provincial Hospital, and adults are treated directly at the Provincial Center.
Thanks to its integrated, coordinated, and educational approach, this center is considered one of the best in the country for diabetes management and for improving the quality of life of those living with this chronic disease.
