2023-05-01 06:57:27
The Puerto Rico Infectious Diseases Society held its annual convention over the weekend.
By: Luisa Ochoa
For the first time following the pandemic, the Society of Infectious diseases of Puerto Rico held its annual convention in person where all the infectologists and health professionals related to this medical specialty.
According to Dr. Marielys Otero Maldonado, infectologist and vice president of the Society of Infectious diseases of Puerto Ricoon the island there are around 80 to 85 infectologistsa significantly small number compared to the population that needs their health services.
“In Puerto Rico there may be between 80 to 85 infectologists and in the Society of Infectious diseases of Puerto Rico there may be regarding 60. Although we are few, we try to ensure that the services in Puerto Rico They are not neglected,” he said.
The role of infectologists It is decisive for the country’s public health and in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, specialists were caring for and guiding patients and leading research to mitigate the effects of the virus.
Infectologists are also migrating from the Island
However, several have emigrated due to working conditions and the obstacles they have to face to carry out their medical practice on the Island. This problem is also evident in other specialties.
“There are two training programs in Puerto Rico and many of the infectologists they have to go because here our subspecialty depends a lot on working in hospitals and added to all the challenges we have with the plans doctors and the pay, the quality of life becomes a bit difficult”, he commented.
Panorama of HIV in Puerto Rico
About the panorama of infectious diseases in Puerto Ricoa topic that was addressed at the annual convention, Dr. Otero indicated that several challenges still persist to eliminate the chains of transmission of viruses, mainly HIV and Hepatitis C.
“HIV is a disease that has evolved a lot in terms of treatment, but unfortunately many of the patients, especially the group that is between 20 and 30 years old, lose awareness of HIV and they did not witness many people who died with AIDS . This population continues to be at higher risk and unfortunately we continue to diagnose HIV in this very young population, ”he explained.
Even so, he is optimistic in stating that the therapeutic options have evolved significantly in recent years, which has allowed the survival rate of infected patients to increase.
“The majority of HIV cases in Puerto Rico they are undetectable and that is the goal of the CDC and WHO; That is why we offer treatment to everyone so that the virus is undetectable or they have a low viral load.”
Addressing Hepatitis C
Regarding Hepatitis C, the specialist stated that it is necessary to carry out more screening tests to detect cases early, since this infection can go unnoticed.
“It is important that as doctors Primary schools, let’s make that discernment, remembering that hepatitis C can be transmitted through blood contamination,” he concluded.
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