International project will benefit Cuban HIV patients

VARADERO, Cuba, Apr 16 (ACN) The project "Expansion of differentiated services of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) for key population groups in the Republic of Cuba" renewed cooperation between Cuban and foreign health institutions.

An ongoing action plan that includes a workshop (already under way) to review the country’s current HIV program and update prevention and diagnosis strategies is intended to establish cooperation between Cuba's Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“As worldwide figures point to a drop in the number of HIV cases and new infections appear, Cuba has managed to expand treatment and minimize lethality, it is necessary to take action based on statistics for the year 2030,” said Carilda Peña García, Cuba's vice-minister of Public Health.

According to announcements issued at the meeting, attended by UNDP Cuba resident representative Fernando Hiraldo, more than 30 municipalities were selected to implement the project.

Renewing cooperation in favor of the 2024-2028 National Strategic Plan for the control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), HIV and hepatitis will mark the future of a far-reaching program started in 2003 to engage several organizations in efforts that benefit human life and well-being.