Members of Parlatino's Health Commission Meets in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Jun 14 (ACN) The Health Commission of the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament, (Parlatino) met on Thursday at the site of the National Assembly of the People's Power in Havana to debate on the integration of science, technology and innovation.

Parliamentarians from Bolivia, Chile, El Salvador, Paraguay, Mexico, Cuba and Uruguay will analyze until Friday the challenges in the sector for Latin America and the Caribbean in a scenario marked by inequality in the access of health services.

The Vice President of the Cuban National Assembly, Ana Maria Mari Machado referred to the problems of financial, technological resources and the limitation of neoliberal policies applied in many nations.

She said that the fact that the region's parliamentarians meet to analyze, discuss and look for alternatives is an example of the profound concern on the issues.

The Cuban deputy expressed that their presence in Havana will allow the participants to see the outcome of the island's health system, characterized as unique, free, accessible, universal coverage and based on primary attention.

Machado added the Cuban health system is also distinguished by broad community and inter-sectorial participation, without discrimination and with a profound internationalist concept, sustained by science, technology and innovation.

The Cuban deputy highlighted the achievements of the nation in indicators like life expectancy (78.45 years), infant mortality rate in less than one year of age (four for every one thousand live births), specialized attention and Cuba's certification as first country to eradicate mother to child HIV/Aids transmission and syphilis.

Member of Parlatino's Directive Table, Rolando Gutierrez Patricio stressed in the need to continue working for health to become a human right at the reach of all.

Also participating in the inauguration of the meeting were Cuban deputy Luis Velazques, President of Parlatino's Health Commission and Jose Angel Portal Miranda, First Vice Minister of Public Health.