Cuban government joins with scientists and health experts amid COVID-19

Havana, April 24 (RHC)-- During the daily meeting held at the Palacio de la Revolucion to examine the situation regarding COVID-19, President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other senior government leaders met with public health experts and scientists from various sectors. 

Discussing the actions needed to confront the complex scenario imposed by COVID-19, the meeting was designed to gain time from this virus and stop its spread.

With prominent intensivists, pediatricians, immunologists, virologists, cardiologists, epidemiologists and nephrologists -- part of the group of health professionals directly involved in the battle against the new coronavirus -- the meeting was chaired by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

On exchanging the protocol used in Cuba with patients having the virus, Díaz-Canel reiterated that the premise must continue to be that of working hard so that people do not reach the serious or critical stage. It is a matter of entering into treatment from the phase of the patient with suspicion of the virus, so as not to lose time.

He recalled that in the last eight consecutive days, several people have died, so he considered it essential to bring forward the times and do everything possible with the patient from the first minute, so that he/she does not reach the worst state.

In this regard, Dr. Ileana Morales, Director of Science and Technological Innovation of the Ministry of Public Health, explained the premises of the protocol for clinical management used in Cuba, which is constantly being adapted and is characterized by integrality, preventive interventions, early actions, progress at each stage, as well as individual attention and management of comorbidities.

This protocol, which has had several versions over time, includes Cuban products such as Interferon Alpha 2b, Biomodulin T, CIGB 2020 and CIGB 258, all with promising results.

In the specialists' debate with the Cuban president, Dr. Ricardo Pereda González, coordinator of the group of clinical experts, called attention to the complexity of managing this type of patient when they reach a critical state, not only because of the COVID-19 itself, but also because of the collateral illnesses they present.