The solution to the serious health problems The country’s health system is everyone’s responsibility and should bring together the conglomerate, the Government, the State and academies. International institutions such as the World and Pan American Health Organizations, the World Bank, non-governmental organizations and associations are part of the construction of a true health system. Civil society, minority groups such as LGBTI people and survivors of chronic diseases, transplant recipients and people living with HIV. This is what Dr. Marcos Nunez Crowdean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Ibero-American University (UNIBE).
According to the professional, most of the problems that characterize the Health System are inherited, which is why the participation of different sectors is required.
Can read: Marcos Núñez: Network-Centered Health System of Hospitals
Change focus
The professional considers that it is necessary to make changes in the approach based on attention to people and communities, but involving them. No changes have been achieved in the Healthcare system and this is associated with a lack of effective coalitions. He believes that there has been a lack of ability to bring all decision-makers together at the same table
It will be necessary to identify the risk and management of models based on the review of the processes involved in health.
He believes that it will be important to seek a positive vector in favour of the health and well-being of the population, especially the most deprived and vulnerable, says the professional.
Indicators
Regarding health indicators, it is necessary to increase the vaccination rate in line with the different population groups, children, pregnant women, young people and older adultsrecommends Nunez.
Among the recommendations made by the Dean of Health Sciences at Unibe are increasing health promotion and improving healthy lifestyles. It is necessary to educate about overweight and alcohol abuse.
It also recommends educating on the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases with a high incidence in the Dominican Republic.
Revision
The health professional believes that the Health System should take into account infectious diseases such as dengue for control by educating the population. This disease is transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoOther indicators that the Health System must review are maternal and infant mortality.
Mental health care is an unavoidable task, which manifests itself in depression, anxiety and suicide in the population.
Older adults should not be left out, says the professional.
Tasks to be undertaken
The Health System, he maintains, should implement referrals and counter-referrals and, with regard to improving services, it is recommended to do so efficiently and offer incentives and remuneration to the personnel dedicated to care.
The academy
For the doctor Marcos NunezThe role of the academy is to be involved, its function is not only the training of human resources. However, the training of the human resources that the country requires is also a task.
This staff will have to leave behind the shyness that is displayed. It understands that there is currently a certain shyness and demand the space that corresponds to it. In the same academy it is necessary to overcome the lack of synergies and coalitions within the sector. It refers to spaces such as the Dominican Association of Faculties and Schools of Medicine, the Dominican Academy of Medicine and the Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic.
More solutions
Having a real health system means understanding that money and political will are required.
It is a multi-causal and complex problem that requires solutions that involve all the actors responsible for the country’s health. The country must overcome the persistence of a health system focused on disease and hospital care with little emphasis on health promotion and prevention.
Núñez recommends attention to people and communities with all that this implies; the community environment must be taken into account.
Another recommendation from the professional is to take into account the social determinants of health.
In his opinion, it would be important to analyse and document the costs of not getting sick and staying healthy, compared to the reality of getting sick. Major problems must involve everyone in the solution, without ignoring the responsibility of the State, says Dr. Núñez.
