Antonio Diez Betancourt

Antonio Díez Betancourt was born in La Maya, the former province of Oriente, on August 8, 1929, into a middle-class family.

He completed his primary education in his native town and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Santiago de Cuba. In 1947 he enrolled in Medicine at the University of La Habana, where he graduated as a physician in 1954. Due to his high grades he was selected to pursue postgraduate studies in the United States. He completed his pediatrics internship at «Calixto García» Hospital and obtained a pediatrics residency through competitive examination.

When the Pediatric Hospital «William Soler» was inaugurated in May 1960, he began teaching at that hospital, where he worked until 1963 when he was appointed Director of the Pediatric Hospital «José Luís Miranda» in Santa Clara. There he also began teaching, created the Artificial Hibernation Ward, initiated specialized neuropediatrics consultations, and was President of the Provincial Scientific Council of Las Villas.

In 1968 he returned to the capital as deputy director of «Ángel Arturo Aballí» Hospital, where he founded the Neuropediatrics Service which he directed for over 30 years and which became a National Reference Center for the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism affecting the central nervous system.

He was founder of teaching programs in the provinces of Matanzas and Holguín. He was Head of the Department of Care for the Physically and Mentally Disabled of the National Directorate of Social Assistance of the Ministry of Public Health. He presided over the National Commission of Defectology. He was a member of the National Group of Neurological Infectious Syndromes, member of the National Pediatrics Group, and member of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Medical Sciences «Julio Trigo». He was a Founding Member of the International Society of Pediatric Neurology and Honorary Member of the International Society Against Epilepsy, Honorary Member of the Cuban Society of Pediatrics, and Honorary Member of the Society of Neurosciences of Cuba.

He published several works in national and international journals, among which is the documentation of entities reported for the first time in Cuba; he collaborated in the introduction of new technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of inborn errors of metabolism, and was author of the chapter «Congenital errors of metabolism affecting the central nervous system» of the pediatrics textbook by Cuban authors, currently in press.

For his outstanding teaching, care, and research work he achieved the title of Doctor in Medical Sciences, the principal teaching category of Full Professor of Pediatrics, the special category of Consulting Professor, and the honorary title of Professor of Merit.

He actively participated in the clandestine struggle against the Batista dictatorship, as a member of the «26 de Julio» Movement and civic resistance. He was founder of the Revolutionary National Militias and fulfilled an internationalist mission in the Democratic Sahrawi Arab Republic in 1982. He was director of a hospital of the Western Army Hospital Base from its creation until its dissolution.

He received, among others, various recognitions:

Prize for scientific achievement for biochemical and molecular diagnosis of heredometabolic diseases.
Annual Health Prize 1990.
Scientific recognition for his contributions to the field of neurosciences.
Distinction for the 20th Anniversary of the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of La Habana.
Medals «José Tey», «Manuel Fajardo», «60th Anniversary of the Central Organization of Cuban Workers», and «Frank País», awarded by the Council of State.

Despite his delicate state of health in the final years of his life, he did not cease studying and putting his knowledge at the service of new generations of health professionals. His life can be summarized as that of a man dedicated to caring for children, teaching new generations, and scientific research, a simple, humble, modest man committed to his time and his homeland.

He died in Ciudad de La Habana on March 30, 2009, after having devoted his entire life to the practice of medicine. He was an example of mentor and teacher to several generations of professionals in his beloved homeland, whose flag covered his casket as an expression of gratitude for his example before all undertakings.