The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) delivered to the Faustino Pérez Surgical Clinical Hospital, in Matanzas, a donation of medical supplies for the care of those affected by the toxic fumes caused by the fire at the supertanker base in that city of western Cuba.
The hospital institution received a batch of 1,000 masks, a hundred thermometers, and the same number of oximeters that were available at the PAHO/WHO Representation on the Island. in accordance with the Cuban News Agency (ACN).
In addition, taking into account the environmental impact of the incident and in order to prevent other possible consequences for the environment and human health, the PAHO Climate Change and Environmental Determinants of Health Unit prepared a document with technical information and recommendations to reduce exposure of people to air pollution due to smoke caused by a hydrocarbon fire.
The document has already been shared with the Cuban authorities and it is hoped that it may be useful in making decisions and carrying out preventive actions, according to the press release.
In a PAHO note cited by the ACNto the health entity confirms “its solidarity with the government of the Island, the people of Matanzas, the injured people and the families of the victims” and assures that its offices in Havana and at headquarters “have maintained communication with the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) to offer the support that may be necessary, and we have already carried out some cooperation actions”.
The fire in the industrial zone of Matanzas began last Friday night as a result of a lightning strike in one of the base’s tanks that contained national crude oil, according to official information, which has reported two deceased14 missing and more than a hundred injured as a result of the incident.
The fire spread to the other three tanks in the battery and caused the collapse of these structures and several explosions over the next four days, until it could be controlled by firefighters and other Cuban forces, with the collaboration of experts and equipment sent from Mexico and Venezuela.
However, actions are still maintained at the site, although according to the authorities there is no longer a risk that the flames will spread again.
