Cuba, a medical and healthcare benchmark

A FREE AND UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR OVER SIX DECADES IS THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE COUNTRY'S SUCCESSES AND GIVES IT A NOTABLE ADVANTAGE WHEN STACKED UP AGAINST OTHER TERRITORIES IN THE REGION. IN 2022, MAJOR EVENTS AND FAIRS IN THE SECTOR WILL PUT THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND IN THE LIMELIGHT

The development of three of its own vaccines against covid-19 and two more on the way earned Cuba welldeserved attention from several media outlets.

Today, when 90 percent of the population is protected with a full-fledged vaccination schedule (three doses, in the case of Cuban vaccines) and around 60 percent have received a booster dose, the island is considered the best-vaccinated developing nation in the world, and is considered a hope for poor countries where vaccination rates are still insufficient.

Cuba was also the first state to immunize children over the age of two. The country has been able to face the wave of the omicron variant with a high vaccination coverage.

At the same time, the Cuban protocols for the care of the sick were described by the PAHO/WHO representative in the country, José Moya, as a praiseworthy program.

It is a multisectoral platform, focused on prevention and constant monitoring, in which government and health authorities participate together, he said.

Developed over six decades, a free and universal health system, and a highlevel scientific sector (in the case of

Cuba has been the first state to inoculate children from the age of two with anti-COVID-19 immunizers, to face the omicron wave with a high vaccination rate, and to achieve that more than 60 percent of the population has booster doses

Cuba ha sido el primer Estado en inocular con los inmunizantes anticovid-19 a los niños a partir de los dos años, en enfrentar la ola de ómicron con un alto porciento de vacunación, y en lograr que más del

60 por ciento de la ciudadanía cuente con dosis de refuerzo

biotechnology, based on the closed cycle, research + development + production + commercialization, with exports to some 40 countries), are the basis that sustains such successes and give Cuba a notable advantage when compared to other states in the region.

All that valuable Cuban experience is put at the service of the world every year, when the scientific programs of health sciences events are put together.

The most relevant of these is the CubaHealth 2022 International Convention, to be held at the Havana Convention Palace from October 17 to 21.

One of its objectives will be to discuss models for dealing with SARS-CoV-2 at the global and regional levels, as well as the economic, social and health impacts of the pandemic.

Coinciding with the convention, the First International Medical and Wellness Tourism Fair will be held from October 19 to 20.

The purpose of the event is to showcase the products, experiences and advances in health tourism in Cuba and the rest of the world, in order to consolidate alliances and lay new paths for the sustainable development of this segment, which has a great impact on health, culture and contemporary society.

In addition, in this context, the First International Seminar on Medical and Wellness Tourism will be held to deepen and share knowledge on Health Tourism in Cuba and internationally.

The second International Forum on Foreign Investment in the health sector will also take place, a space designed to promote foreign investment opportunities in Cuba, with innovative development prospects.

Another event of interest during 2022 in the field of medicine will be the International Congress on Controlling Diabetes and its Most Severe Complications.

Sponsored by BioCubaFarma, it will take place between August 31 and September 4 at the renovated Plaza America Convention Center in Varadero.

Plaza America will also host the event New Strategies in the Fight against Infectious, Chronic and Emerging Diseases, from October 22 to 25.

Thousands of people around the world see Cuba in the Caribbean as a safe health destination, whether for medical care, education or self-improvement, and this is not at all strange or casual. The difference made by placing the human being at the center, looking into the eyes of the patient, and practicing medicine with nobility and sensitivity has been Cuba's hallmark for decades.