The Holguin Provincial Oncology Center at Vladimir Ilich Lenin Hospital is intensifying efforts to detect and treat cancer cases at an early stage, addressing one of the leading causes of death in the eastern Cuban province.
Pedro Alejandro Escalona Díaz, director of the center, told CNA that the facility is staffed with highly trained professionals from national and international institutions, capable of performing complex surgeries on the head and neck, digestive tract, and orthopedic oncology cases.
The center’s surgical department conducts 30 to 40 operations weekly, including both elective and major procedures, while the radiotherapy unit treats around 120 patients daily, serving not only Holguin but also the provinces of Granma and Las Tunas.
Escalona Díaz highlighted that rising annual case numbers have prompted initiatives focused on early detection. These include health promotion campaigns targeting harmful habits, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and offering clinical examinations to vulnerable populations.
Despite heavy daily use, essential medical equipment remains fully operational, supporting treatment for over 2,000 new patients on average each year.
As part of the Lenin Hospital’s 60th anniversary celebrations, renovations are underway in inpatient wards, including painting, furniture upgrades, maintenance, and plumbing repairs. With high occupancy rates, these improvements are expected to enhance patient satisfaction.
Cancer, a disease defined by uncontrolled cell growth and potential spread to other organs, remains a major cause of illness and death worldwide. In Holguin, the most common cancers are skin cancer, with roughly 800 new cases annually, followed by breast and lung cancers, which rank among the province’s leading causes of death.
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