Havana, Nov 1. - A donation of antiretrovirals from Brazil, managed with the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), was delivered to the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) in an event held at the unit where The Logistics Platform of the Drug Marketing and Distributor Company (ENCOMED) is located.
This unit is in charge of guaranteeing the country's supply of finished, imported and nationally produced medicines, as well as diagnostic means, culture media and chemical reagents.
The contribution, which includes more than one hundred thousand 25mg Tenofivir Alafenamine tablets, will be used to benefit, for six months, more than 100 people living with HIV. A relevant element is that donated Tenofivir is distinguished by being better tolerated by patients, as it is less toxic than other types of this same drug.
During the event, Dr. Durán recalled that Cuba was the first country in the world to eliminate maternal-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis. In the national territory, uninterrupted work is being done to strengthen the National Program for the Prevention and Control of HIV, sexually transmitted infections and viral hepatitis. Even during the pandemic, its execution and care for people who needed it did not stop.
For his part, the Minister Counselor of Brazil highlighted that the integration of the different parties involved was key to this action. He recognized the support of PAHO/WHO and thanked the Cuban health personnel for their work.
In addition, he expressed his satisfaction for helping the island and his confidence that both States can join together to cooperate with other nations.
Dr. de Cosío commented that this is an example of collaboration between two countries that have great capabilities, with which they have already produced multiple benefits for the health of the Americas at different times.
At the same time, he said that it is an initiative that targets very sensitive health problems for the communities and called to continue working together for the well-being of the people.
This donation is an example of the results that South-South cooperation can bring, and what is possible to achieve under the principles of Pan-Americanism and solidarity. (Text and photo: Radio Reloj)