By: Ignacio Estrada Cepero, Independent Journalist
For several days the clinical laboratory at the Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine has not collected samples for the laboratory test known as Viral Load.
The well-known laboratory test is conducted in most cases of people living with HIV/AIDS, in order to know the presence of the infective load of this virus in the human body.
An unknown number of people are waiting their turn to have this laboratory test performed. Many of these patients have scheduled their tests up to six months in advance and arrive a the hospital only to be told there is no of clinical reagent.
According to a practitioner at this Cuban hospital devoted to research of tropical diseases and HIV/AIDS who wants to remain anonymous, this laboratory test is important and he added that it is not the first time this year the hospital has been forced to suspend the tests for lack of chemical reagent.
The Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) is located on the outskirts of Havana and to date is one of the most prestigious health institutions in Cuba. At present its current director is Dr. Jorge Perez.
October 8 2012
