Since 2003, HPIC has been providing regular shipments of basic medicines, medical supplies and equipment to the Cuban Council of Churches for the needs of elderly Cubans cared for by this national network of church groups.
The CCC is an association that represents some 50 churches and denominations on the island and provides a variety of programs for people living in the communities they serve.
The Care for Seniors program is part of the CCC’s Community Life and Health Ministry. Currently, there are about 3,500 senior citizens being reached through care for shut-ins, meals at lunchrooms, full-time care for seniors in six residences, as well as at church day centres.
Cuban Care for Seniors
The CCC has taken on the challenge of reaching out to the most vulnerable and marginalized within their communities. The seniors targeted by the program are those who are not adequately serviced by the current health system due largely to a country-wide socio-economic crisis.
Severe shortages of medicines and supplies are common problems in Cuba. Even in a central economy system, supported by a constitutional right to universal and free health care for all, the deterioration of resources has inevitably resulted in the increased vulnerability of some population groups, including many elderly.
The CCC has expressed the following goals for the Care for Seniors program:
- To enable senior citizens to regain their individual and social dignity and recognition
- To offer support to local solu3tions for the multi-dimensional care of the elderly
- To include the churches and their communities in solidarity actions with their fellow men.
Some of the elderly people served by the CCC live in seniors’ residences, others spend their time at day centres, some participate in lunch programs and those who are too frail to leave their home benefit from home visits. In certain cases, some of the more autonomous participants contribute to the program by making visits themselves to shut-ins.
HPIC and Cuban Care for Seniors
HPIC provides specifically requested and desperately needed medicines, vitamins and medical supplies in support of the healthcare services provided to the elderly who are served by the Cuban Care for Seniors program. HPIC staff have also been involved in training caregivers to securely lift and transfer patients.
HPIC has assessed the detailed needs of the senior population in conjunction with medical doctors from the CCC. Some of the results being measured include the number of patients treated, improvements in health over a period of treatment, changes to lifestyle or quality of life as a result of treatment, and comparison to the national health indicators for the elderly population.
The goal of the project is better health within this population enabling seniors to participate as fully as possible in the life of their family and society.
