The legacy of the Nacional Center in Matanzasʹ 40 years
Keywords:
Toxicology; National Toxicology Center; LegacyAbstract
Cuba's National Toxicology Center (Cenatox), founded in 1986, is celebrating 40 years of service in the province of Matanzas, distinguished by its work in patient care, academics, research, and management. Since its inception, the center has provided ongoing toxicological consultation to healthcare institutions and the public. The training of specialists has been key: the first Cuban toxicologists were trained in the former USSR, and subsequently, diploma programs, master's degrees, and medical residencies in toxicology were implemented, with professionals from Matanzas graduating since 1992. These specialists have been essential for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of acute poisonings in the province.
In the scientific sphere, close ties are maintained with Cenatox through participation in events and courses. Toxicologists in Matanzas have played a leading role in chemical emergencies and mass poisonings, such as the ammonia train derailment, the fire at the supertanker base, and the irritant gas emergency at a pre-university institute, as well as in the ecotoxicological surveillance system for genetically modified crops in Calimete. Recently, the first Toxicology Diploma program in the province was offered, and work is underway to create the Provincial Toxicology Group, as part of the celebrations for the anniversary of the National Toxicology Center (Cenatox). The authors emphasize that strengthening the specialty in Matanzas is essential for the future of the health system, and that this anniversary represents a commitment to the founders, the center's staff, and the people of Matanzas.
Downloads
References
1. Pérez Barly L, Guirola Fuentes J, Fleites Mestres P, Pérez García Y, Milián Pérez TM, López García D. Origen e historia de la Toxicología. Rev Cubana Med Mil. [Internet] 2014 [citado 10/07/2026]; 43(4):[aprox. 5 p.] Disponible en: http://www.bvs.sld.cu/revistas/mil/vol43_4_14/mil09414.htm
2. Hoffman RS, Gosselin S, Nelson LS et al . Goldfrank’s Clinical manual of toxicologic emergencies. New York: McGraw Hill; 2023. 739 p
3. Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Gestión de salud pública de los incidentes químicos. Prevención, planificación y preparación, detección y alerta, respuesta y recuperación [Internet]. Washington, DC: Organización Panamericana de la Salud; 2024 [citado 10/07/2026]. Disponible en: https://campus.paho.org/es/curso/salud-incidentes-quimicos
4.Hernández Soto LD. El Centro Nacional de Toxicología de Cuba, a 39 años de su creación. Rev Cubana Med Mil. [Internet] 2024 [citado 10/07/2026]; 53(4):e024075883. Disponible en: https://revmedmilitar.sld.cu/index.php/mil/article/view/75883/2722
5. Guirola Fuentes J, Batista Reyes Y, García González Y. La inteligencia artificial en el desarrollo profesional de los residentes en Toxicología. EduMeCentro. [Internet] 2025 [citado 10/07/2026];17:e3054. Disponible en: https://revedumecentro.sld.cu/index.php/edumc/article/view/e3054/pdf
6. Guirola Fuentes J. Propuesta de organización para enfrentar accidentes químicos e intoxicaciones masivas por los servicios de salud en la provincia de Matanzas. [Tesis de Residencia]. La Habana: Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de las FAR, Centro de Información; 2013.
7. Guirola Fuentes J, Salgado Cruz M, Fleites Mestres PR. Evolución de los accidentes químicos e intoxicaciones masivas en Cuba: un análisis de 2010-2024. MedEst [Internet]. 2025 [citado 10/07/2026];5:e315. Disponible en: https://revmedest.sld.cu/index.php/medest/article/view/315
8. Guirola Fuentes J, Batista Reyes Y, Salgado Cruz M, et al. Caracterización de los pacientes afectados durante el accidente químico en la base de supertanqueros de Matanzas. Rev Cubana Med Milit [Internet]. 2025 [citado 10/07/2026];54(2):e025068729. Disponible en: https://revmedmilitar.sld.cu/index.php/mil/article/view/68729
9. Guirola-Fuentes J, Batista-Reyes Y, Estrada-Rodríguez Y. Emergencia química por gases irritantes: el caso del Instituto Preuniversitario Urbano José Luis Dubrocq.Rev Méd Electrón [Internet]. 2025 [citado 10/07/2026];47:e6606. Disponible en: http://www.revmedicaelectronica.sld.cu/index.php/rme/article/view/6606/6337
10. Beiro Castro O, Domínguez Linares Y, Noa Rodríguez A, Valdés Collado Y. Monitoreo del suelo de áreas sembradas con maíz híbrido y su refugio en Calimete, Matanzas. rias [Internet]. 2024 [citado 10/07/2026];7:e402. Disponible en: https://rias.unesum.edu.ec/index.php/revista/article/view/402
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Jurek Guirola-Fuentes, Yaisemys Batista-Reyes, Pedro Ramón Fleites-Mestres, Yamilet García-González
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Those authors who have publications with this journal accept the following terms: The authors will retain their copyright and guarantee the journal the right of first publication of their work, which will be simultaneously subject to the Recognition License. Creative Commons that allows third parties to share the work as long as its author and its first publication in this magazine are indicated. Authors may adopt other non-exclusive license agreements for the distribution of the published version of the work (e.g.: deposit it in an institutional telematic archive or publish it in a monographic volume) as long as the initial publication in this journal is indicated. Authors are allowed and recommended to disseminate their work through the Internet (e.g.: in institutional telematic archives or on your website) before and during the submission process, which can produce interesting exchanges and increase citations of the published work.
