Cuba achieves medical global first

CUBA, is the first country in the world to receive the validation of the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis from mother to child.

The announced came Tuesday, June 30 from the country’s Minister of Public Health Roberto Morales Ojeda, in a press conference at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) in Washington.
“Everything has been possible because of our social system and political will from the highest level. That is what has allowed a country with scarce resources has make these achievements,” said the Cuban minister.
Ojeda described the health system established after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution more than half a century ago as “free, accessible, regionalized and comprehensive”.
“We are in full readiness to help other countries”, he said, adding that Cuba has already received applications, from African countries.
Carissa Etienne PAHO director, , said that all countries of the region committed themselves in 2010 to achieve what Cuba has done.
“I imagine that the new political time between Cuba and the United States can only help achieve this accomplishment, but Cuba has also worked with other members of the organization to increase access to health,” Etienne said.
The regional validation committee on the elimination of transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to child was established in May 2014.
A group of 14 independent experts from different areas of the continent is responsible for assessing which countries may be recommended for global validation on this issue.