title: [The health situation in Nicaragua: between a desire to change and aggression].
abstract: Before 1979, the health situation in Nicaragua was characterized by a high infant mortality, a high morbidity and mortality related with infectious causes in most cases preventable, as well as by a health care system with multiple non-coordinated institutions, a low coverage and deep social and geographical inequalities in the provision of services. The revolution develops a new regionalized model with an extension of the coverage especially through primary care services, preventive and curative programs targeted at risk groups and health problems, with a large community involvement. The achievements of this new policy are assessed by an increase and a greater equality in the availability and utilization of health resources, by a reduction in morbidity due to transmissible diseases, and by a spectacular decrease in infant mortality. The externally promoted war is having a strong impact on health care and has been slowing down the improvements observed from 1979 to 1983; it violates the principles of the Geneva Convention, it has been condemned by the Tribunal of the Hague, and deserves condemnation from Public Health professionals.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: González Svatetz
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Camacho
mesh_terms: D006291:Health Policy / Q000266:history* / Q000639:trends; D006296:Health Services / Q000266:history; D006298:Health Services Administration; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009527:Nicaragua; D014857:Warfare
vernacular_title: La situación sanitaria de nicaragua: entre el deseo de cambio y la agresión.