Cuba Validates Commitment to Train Primary Healthcare Experts

Cuban Deputy Health Minister Alfredo Gonzalez on Friday confirmed his country''s commitment to train primary healthcare specialists in the world during the Global Conference on this subject, taking place in Astana.

Gonzalez recalled and ratified during a panel the Cuban government's offer to put about 25,000 health specialists, including doctors, nurses and stomatologists, at the disposal of the World Health Organization (WHO), to carry out primary healthcare programs in different developing countries.

The official stressed the importance of the primary healthcare as a basis and greater strength of the National Health System in Cuba, as well as guarantee high health indicators, such as low infant mortality rate (4.0 in 2017) or life expectancy of the population (78.45 years), among others.

During his speech, he stated that in order to achieve the greatest population welfare in general and fulfill the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development goals, developing primary healthcare as much as possible, an objective achieved by Cuba since mid 80s of the last century, was essential.

He stressed, in turn, that Cuba represents a credible example of international solidarity and humanism proven throughout its revolutionary history through the medical cooperation implemented in 65 developing countries, as well as training in the island more of 35,000 doctors from about 135 countries of the Americas and the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.

During the opening ceremony of the Conference on Thursday, UN member states unanimously approved the Astana Declaration, in which they pledge to strengthen their primary healthcare systems to achieve universal healthcare coverage.