The UNDP Praises Cuba's Results in Combat vs. HIV/AIDS

HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 8 (acn) Myrta Kaulard, representative to Cuba of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), praised on Thursday the work of the Caribbean nation in the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)/ HIV/AIDS.

The expert participated in the 2nd Congress on Health Promotion, which wound up in this capital on April 7 and where she asserted that, in the region, Cuba is among the nations less affected by HIV.
Kaulard spoke during a round table held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the UNDP, which was part of the meeting that brought together at Havana's Convention Center more than 300 delegates from about a dozen countries.
She considered that Cuba's results are due to its solid, universal and free health system and to the human capacity created in the areas of health and social welfare, as well as in the training of human resources.
The official said that the country is ready to face new challenges in health and announced that the UNDP will maintain a cooperation program until 2030, with donations of supplies and tests for the study and detection of sexually transmitted diseases and antiretroviral treatments.
During the UNDP panel "50 years serving people and nations," which was also attended by representatives of the organization and guests, Kaulard commended the success of the coverage of treatment for those living with HIV, close to one hundred percent of those requiring it, a figure significantly above regional average.
Survival rates of people who have treatment and the level of satisfaction of those living with HIV are high and have increased significantly in recent years, and the vast majority of those diagnosed can work or continue studying, what translates into greater access to services and therefore a better quality of life, she added.
Kaulard said that prevention efforts have been effective, as demonstrated by the low rates of prevalence and incidence of this disease and in this regard stressed the programs for that purpose, established by the Ministry of Public Health with the support of many institutions.