The renowned Cuban public health expert Dr. Pedro Francisco Llerena Fernández has passed away

March 1, 2021

Barely two months before turning 82 years old, on the night of February 27th of this year 2021, the physical disappearance of a distinguished physician, public health expert, excellent administrator, who always knew how to put first the people who received health services from the institution he directed, also offering care to their families, and, secondly, to the workers who had to guarantee the best quality of that care to people, families and the community, became known.

Pedro Llerena, born in Cojímar, Guanabacoa, on April 29, 1939. Graduated as Doctor of Medicine in 1965. Licentiate in Social Sciences from the Ñico López School in 1984; Master's in Public Health in Mexico in 1970 and Specialist of the 1st. Degree in Health Administration in 1975.

He began Rural Medical Service at the Hospital del Central Guatemala (formerly Preston) in the province of Oriente, and three months later he was appointed Sub-Director of the Hospital and two months later he replaced the Director. In February 1967 he was transferred as Director of the Hospital and Polyclinic of Puerto Padre.

The following year, he was promoted to Regional Director of Tunas-Puerto Padre. In February 1970 he went to pursue a Master's in Public Health in Mexico, and upon his return, a year later, he was placed in the province of Camagüey as Sub-Director of Medical and Social Assistance and shortly thereafter promoted to Provincial Director.

In February 1981 he was appointed Sub-Director of the province of Ciudad de La Habana, a position he held for one year, being promoted to Provincial Director until November 1984, when he was promoted again, this time to Vice Minister.

In 1988 he was relieved due to health problems. After his recovery he was assigned to the diplomatic service as First Secretary of the Embassy of Cuba in the Czechoslovak Republic, until the end of 1990, when that office was closed due to the existing political situation and the suspension of cooperation with Cuba by the Czechs.

In January 1991 he joined as Dean of the Faculty of Public Health until 1995, when he was assigned the task of launching the International Health Center "La Pradera", where, the following year, he was appointed General Director, a position he held until January 2015, when he was relieved for renewal and became a Professor at the National School of Public Health, his last workplace.

In the various positions and responsibilities assumed he always stood out for his discipline, honesty and integrity, receiving well-deserved recognition, among which the following stand out:

- Honorable Member of the Cuban Society of Public Health.
- September 28th Medal.
- Distinguished Services Medal of the FAR.
- Founder Medal of the Revolutionary National Militias in the Municipality of Guanabacoa.
- Recognition from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation of Brazil.
- Juan Tomás Roig Medal.
- Merit Honor from the Intergovernmental Fund for Decentralization (FIDES).
- Order of the Grand Cross Bishop Mariano Talavera, State of Falcón, Venezuela.
- Manuel Fajardo Medal, more than 25 years in the Health Sector
- Adopted Son of the city of Camagüey.
- Recognition from MINTUR and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.