Large foreign presence expected at International Health Convention in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 16 (acn) More than 50 official delegations, with the presence of some 40 ministers of Public Health, will meet in the International Health Convention to be held in this capital city from April 20 to 24, said sources of the organizing committee.

Dr. Ileana Morales, executive secretary of the event, to be held at the Conventions Palace, told reporters that about two thousand delegates will be involved, and it will be developed under the face and virtual forms, so in those days Havana will become the capital of global health.

Sponsored by prestigious national and international organizations, the forum's main purpose is to discuss health in Cuba and the rest of the world, and will be a space of deep reflection , committed and focused on the discussion of issues related to the international agenda, said Morales, Director of Science and Technology in the Ministry of Public Health.

"From health for all to universal health coverage" is the theme of the meeting that will facilitate the exchange of current and future public health challenges in the world, with emphasis on the needs the planet faces today, said MSc. Nereyda Rojo, vice president of the scientific committee.

In CubaSalud 2015 the topics will focus on economic, social and environmental policies and their implications for health, transformations in health systems and their impact on key indicators and the strategy of Primary Health Care; challenges of universal coverage and citizen participation.

In addition, it includes the formation and training of human capital in health, internationalization of medical education, development of research and technological innovation systems in the sector, disasters: implications and responses of national health systems, she said.

The use of Information and Communications Technologies in the transformation of health services, pre and postgraduate training of human resources and research are also included in the scientific program, Dr. Rojo announced.

The 13th edition of the 2015 Salud para Todos Scientific-Trade Fair will be held in parallel at PABEXPO fairgrounds, and its purpose is to update the specialists in new medical technologies and promote the business development and opportunities of the domestic industry.

About 180 companies from various countries will attend the event which includes a discussion of the range of Cuban medical services, business rounds and conferences, among other activities, the organizing committee noted.