International Health Fair Furthers Cooperation Relations

HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 27 (acn) The 8th International Health Fair, held in Havana last week entitled Health for All, contributed to strengthen cooperation links in the sector and particularly favored the exchange of information and experience on technology and material resources.

The event was attended by over one thousand exhibitors from 197 companies, 43 of them Cuban and 154 from other countries.

The forum, which for many is the most important of its kind in Latin America, paved the way to address two important aspects related to universal health coverage: access to medications and crucial technology, plus the preparation and training of health personnel.

These aspects favor the introduction and use of resources in an efficient and effective manner, said Cuban deputy health minister Luis Fernando Navarro during the closing session of the fair at Havana´s Conventions Hall.

The fair, which had not been held for the past 10 years, ran parallel to the Cuba-Health 2005 International Convention and contributed to the transformations underway in the Cuban health sector.

Such transformations aimed at improving the health conditions of the people, increasing the quality of medical services and making the Cuban health system more efficient and sustainable.

The fair saw the signing of 42 frame agreements, while another 35 documents were presented for signing in the near future, according to the organizing committee.

Meanwhile, a strategic working accord was reached by the Health Ministry and BioCubaFarma Biotechnology and Farmaceutical Corporation to support the presentation of seven new comprehensive health programs, which combine medical services, medications, equipment and resources.

The integration of biotechnological and pharmaceutical products with the programs on the offer by Cuban Medical Services, backed by the strength of human resources in the sector, is evidenced in several treatment modalities, like the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, lung cancer vaccines, the early diagnosis of hearing conditions, neck and prostate cancer, among others.

The Health for All fair was also the right scenario to explain about Cuba´s international cooperation. More than 325 thousand Cuban health workers have offered medical services in 158 nations. This includes the free eye-surgery program known as Operation Miracle, which has been implemented in 14 nations and has favored over 2.6 million people; the screening of persons with disabilities in Latin American and Caribbean countries and the work of the Henry Reeve medical brigade in 24 countries.

Important enough is the participation of Cuban doctors in Haiti, which was ravaged by an earthquake and affected by a cholera outbreak, and the participation of 256 Cuban health workers in the Ebola efforts in western Africa.