The Camagüey pediatric hospital in the midst of this terrible epidemiological situation, reaching its 53rd anniversary, more than half a century in support of children is easy, but it was all thanks to the work of many doctors, who have left their youth, experience and much of his life, in those rooms.

There are several examples that could reflect the valuable work of its doctors, but given the difficulty of visiting some in the field, due to the sanitary measures that today prevent the access of personnel from outside the center, I will illustrate with some personal experiences.

A surgeon

I am pleased to remind you that the patriot for whom the institution is named; Dr. Eduardo Agramonte Piña was a very versatile man, because in addition to his abilities in field surgery, he was a musician, journalist and Colonel Mambí. One of the most outstanding Camagüey figures in the Ten Years’ War.

For this reason, when I talk to you about a surgeon at the hospital, I think that we also pay tribute to Ignacio Agramonte’s cousin and brother-in-law.

The history

This orthopedic and surgeon is not a big fan of interviews, but more than 20 years in the specialty, I think he deserves our reverence. I reserve his name but his companions will know who I am talking about when reading this chronicle.

I have seen him handle each case with good reason, of which arrives at his emergency room with an injured limb and I was very surprised by his expertise, so that the child suffers as little pain as possible during the maneuver.

I remember that some time ago I was waiting alongside my daughter who had to get surgery in a nail and a little boy arrived from the town of Altagracia, who had fallen from a horse and dislocated his elbow.

Faced with the despair of the father, the doctor calmly ordered him to leave and, with the help of his assistant, put the bone in its place in a single turn, then immobilized and when performing an x-ray it was already in the correct position and he avoided surgery, which could have taken hours and many complications.

When interviewing him

When he left his office and offered us to come to take care of Roxy’s nail, I asked him how he managed to do his work without the child crying, because I imagined his pain and it seemed terrible to me.

He looked at me with a certain grace in his facial expression, because he is very cheerful and talkative, and without much thought he replied: I prefer to avoid surgery; I entertain him by talking to him while I treat him, when he reacts his elbow is already in the right position.

The tribute

I think that this surgeon, with his every day work, pays tribute to Dr. Eduardo Agramonte, each one in different battlefields, but continuing the revolutionary work that watches over the health of the little ones, from this institution in Camagüey that celebrates its 53rd anniversary sowing well-being.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García