Without treatment 17,000 patients with Parkinson's since 7 months

The health of these chronic patients has deteriorated when having to interrupt the corresponding doses. "We demand a response, they are killing the sick," exclaimed one of the relatives. 

More than 100 people, including patients with Parkinson's, activists and volunteers, yesterday gathered in Plaza Francia, in Altamira, to protest the serious shortage of medicines against the disease that affects 33,000 people in Venezuela, on the occasion of the celebration of the World Parkinson's Day. 

"There are 17,000 who are registered in the Ministry of Health's program to receive medication, but since 7 months, no drugs have been obtained in the country. We are demanding that this program be resumed, "said Aída Cabrera, vice president of the Civil Association Párkinson Caracas. 

"Buy food, medicine now; the money belongs to the people and it is the priority, "exclaimed the demonstrators, some with a trembling walk and others carried in wheelchairs, when they traveled to the headquarters of the United Nations Development Program, located on Francisco Avenue. Miranda, where the Civil Association Párkinson Caracas presented a document that exposes the situation of these patients in the country. 

Deteriorated health Patients with Parkinson's must comply with regular medication treatment to avoid deterioration of their physical condition. Relatives of the patients, who participated in the protest, assured that the health of those affected is at risk by interrupting the supply of medicines. 

César Martínez, 70 years old, was diagnosed with the disease in 1991. In more than the last months he has had to reduce his doses due to the shortage of drugs. "I should take five tablets of Sinemet a day, but we have had to reduce the doses because of the costly ones and because of the difficulty of finding them, this deteriorates their health. We demand an answer, this is not life, they are killing the sick, "said his son, Augusto Martínez. 

César Martínez, 70 years old, was diagnosed with the disease in 1991. In more than the last months he has had to reduce his doses due to the shortage of drugs. "I should take five tablets of Sinemet a day, but we have had to reduce the doses because of the costly ones and because of the difficulty of finding them, this deteriorates their health. We demand an answer, this is not life, they are killing the sick, "said his son, Augusto Martínez. He added that they have had to import the medicines through friends and family. "Before, the medications were obtained more regularly, but nothing has been achieved for eight months; That is why we have had to resort to friends, family and friends to bring them from abroad. " 

The health of Pedro Hernández, another patient of 75 years of age and diagnosed 4 years ago, runs the same fate: he has deteriorated due to the interruption of his treatment for more than 3 weeks, since he did not get Sinemet, his prescription medication. 

"He is also hypertensive and has not been able to take regular medications for tension since a month ago; his health is very delicate, "said Tarazona, while walking with the rest of the protesters. 

In a similar situation is Gladis Manrique, 76 years old and diagnosed in 2014. Manrique attended the activity in a wheelchair accompanied by family members. 

"Parkinson's is a chronic controllable disease, but without medication the person loses mobility and daily activities can not be performed. A few months ago she spent more than two weeks without the medication and could not walk, she stopped and she remained static without being able to move, "said Gimer Guerra, the patient's niece.