UNDP Praises Cuba´s Results in the Fight against HIV-AIDS

HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 8 (acn) The representative of the United Nations Development Program praised on Thursday Cuba´s work in the prevention of HIV-AIDS.

The expert participated in the 2 nd Health Promotion Congress which ended on Friday in Havana and where she affirmed that Cuba is among the nations in the region with less HIV among the population.

Kaulard spoke during a round table session on the occasion of the UNDP´s 50th anniversary held during the event at Havana´s Convention Center with over 300 delegates in a dozen countries.

She believes the Cuba´s result is due to a solid universal and free health care system and announced that the UNDP will maintain a cooperation program on the island until 2030 with donations of supplies and tests for the study and detection of sexual transmittable diseases and antiviral treatment.

The UNDP panel at the service of people and countries included the participation of representatives of the world body and guests and Kaulard praised the success of the coverage of the treatment to those that live with HIV which soon will reach 100 percent of those that require the attention significantly superior to the regional average.

The survival rate of the population that undergo treatment and the level of satisfaction of those that live with HIV are high and has notably increased during recent years in addition to the majority of those diagnosed working and studying translated as major access to the services and improving the quality of life, he stressed.

Kaulard said that the prevention initiatives has been efficient and has been demonstrated in the low rates of those infected. She also highlighted the programs destined to service installed by the Health Ministry with the support of the multiple institutions.

Regarding the event which included the 10th Regional Promotion and Health Education Workshop, Kaulard characterized the important space for the socialization and creation of new strategies that can contribute to the prevention of illnesses and the formation of better living styles in Latin America.

¨Health in all policies: challenges for sustainable development¨ is the slogan that heads the forum and in which participants recalled that June 30th of last year, the Pan American and World Health Organizations certified Cuba as the first country in the world Free of Maternal-Infant Transmittable HIV and congenital syphilis.

Dr. Rosayda Ochoa, Director of the Health Promotion and Prevention of Illnesses Unit and president of the event´s organizing committee highlighted that the best investment for health is promoting a responsible conduct in health and environment.

The success depends on the know how in all levels, strengthen citizen participation, attend spirituality as a inspiration component of health and conceive educational actions with an inter-sectorial focus, she said.