At least 70% of Venezuelan laboratories are inoperative

The health crisis continues to worsen, with the situation of Venezuelan clinical laboratories as one of the most pressing problems. According to Judith León, president of the Federation of Colleges of Bioanalysts of Venezuela, at least 70% of these centers nationwide They do not have the necessary conditions to provide an adequate service.

León denounced the precarious employment situation of bioanalysts, with insufficient salaries that do not allow them to cover basic needs and guarantee a decent quality of life. “The average salary of a bioanalyst should be $570”said the specialist, who highlighted the importance of increasing salaries in public health centers to attract and retain talent.

The low quality of life of health sector workers is reflected in the decrease in the quality of the services offered. Laboratories, with obsolete equipment and lack of supplies, cannot guarantee reliable and timely results. This situation forces patients to look for alternatives in the private sector, where the costs of examinations are prohibitive for the majority of the population.

“Really in hospitals laboratory tests are not performed. They will always send you to have them done outside and then you return with the results,” said Liliana Hernández, a citizen affected by this situation. The costs of basic exams can vary between 6 and 20 dollars, while specialized exams can exceed 70 dollars, figures that are inaccessible for many Venezuelans.

María Cabrera, president of the College of Bioanalysts of the Capital District and Miranda state, agreed that bioanalysis services in public centers are 80% “inoperative.” This situation puts the health of millions of Venezuelans at risk, who cannot access timely and accurate diagnoses.