Cuba: Tireless Fighter Against AIDS

More than 33 million people in the world suffer from the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, AIDS. And although the number of new cases of infection has decreased by 17 percent over the past eight years, AIDS is still a serious health problem worldwide.

A report issued by the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) states that despite the encouraging results achieved in recent years, people can't be overly confident because almost three million people became infected with the virus last year, and about two million died because of this disease.

In Cuba, the number of people infected has slowly decreased thanks to the preventive programs implemented on the island. United Nations experts have acknowledged the work that Cuba has carried out to prevent and fight HIV/AIDS, its initiatives, strategies and the development of programs to reduce the impact of the disease.

Ana Maria Navarro, UNAIDS representative for Cuba and the Dominican Republic, noted that the island is an example in the region due to its low infection rate. The expert also pointed out the value of culture and its contribution to the prevention of the disease.

For his part, Roberto Galvez, United Nations representative in Cuba, highlighted the work of the Cuban government and health authorities from the beginning of the outbreak of the epidemic in the 1980's.

He praised the national strategy "ITS-VIH-SIDA Plan" based on four basic concepts: epidemiological vigilance, education for health, medical attention and research.

Cuban health authorities don't neglect epidemiological vigilance, because although the island registers the lowest rate of HIV prevalence of the Caribbean and is among the 22 less-affected countries of the world, the disease grows in a sustainable way.

On Tuesday, December 1st, the world will be celebrating the World Day Against AIDS. Cuba prepares new actions to contribute to the education and information of its people, with the aim of further reducing the number of people infected with the disease.

Taken from Radio Havana Cuba

Source: periodico26.cu/