Introduction.

The Amparo children's dispensary was the second institution of this type founded in Cuba. In addition to its welfare functions, it was the headquarters of the Villa Clara Medical Scientific Societies and their most important events. This institution arose at the proposal of the Dental Pharmaceutical Medical Corps, the first Villa Clara scientific society founded in 1892. The objective of this paper is to specify the origin, development and significance of The Amparo dispensary as a scientific institution.

Methods.

To carry out this research, the historical method was followed, supported by the documentary review technique and interviews with key informants. Documents from the Provincial Historical Archive, the Rare Funds of the José Martí Library, the existing issues of the Villaclara Medical magazine and the provincial press of the time were analyzed. Methodological triangulation was carried out to arrive at integrative considerations.

Results.

The antecedents of the development of Medical Sciences in Santa Clara were identified, as well as how important institutions and personalities arose at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, which allowed for the creation and development of innovative healthcare and scientific institutions for the time. It is concluded that the foundation of the The Amparo dispensary, at the proposal of the Dental Pharmaceutical Medical Corps, represented a step forward for the development of Medical Sciences in the territory and this institution became the scientific headquarters of the societies and subsidiaries that were constituted in Santa Clara and, as a scientific-assistance institution, it lasted until 1962.

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