Introduction:

The specialty of Allergology competes among the most expensive in medical practice in developed countries, where the criterion is promoted that allergy is a disease of the rich and that the poor do not suffer from it, when in fact it is a problem of access possibilities to that service. In Cuba, the allergy specialty has a different social organization compared with other countries.

Objective:

To elaborate a historical outline of allergology in the province of Matanzas.

Materials and methods:

Historical-logical and analytical-synthetic theoretical methods were used, as well as interview and documentary analysis empirical ones.

Results:

The beginning of the specialty of Allergology is described, emphasizing the role of Dr. Gonzalo Álvarez Rodríguez as the first allergist in the province. The development and qualitative leap of the service was evidenced, and notes are collected related to its origin, training of specialists, scientific progress, working conditions and expansion of coverage to the population in these years.

Conclusions:

With this work, an account of the origin and development of allergology in Matanzas began, which enriched the history of the specialty as part of the health services in the province.

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