Havana, Cuba.- Parliamentarians from Latin America and the Caribbean called here today for strengthening integration into scientific and health programs to ensure greater accessibility to health services in countries in the region.
Gathered at the headquarters of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of Cuba, legislators from the Health Commission of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) agreed on the need to join forces to promote joint projects.
Congressmen from Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Aruba, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Mexico and Peru, among other countries, were interested in the Cuban experiences in this area.
The parliamentarians received a comprehensive explanation of the development of national biotechnology by Dr. Rolando Perez Rodriguez, member of the Cuban Academy of Sciences.
Perez Rodriguez updated the visitors on the challenges and opportunities of the integration of this sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, especially the work of the Biocubafarma business group.
According to the researcher, Biocubafarma exports pharmaceutical products to 53 countries and also promotes technology transfer with countries in the region, and Vietnam, Iran, China, South Africa.
Cuba’s main achievements in the area of health also occupied an important place in the meeting, in which the Vice-President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, Ana Maria Mari Machado, participated.
Mari Marchado reminded that the Caribbean island was the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and syphilis.
The legislator explained since 1960 more than 135,000 Cuban employees in the sector have provided services in various regions of the world and that nearly 50,000 are working in 65 nations.
According to the agenda, the legislators will analyze a draft declaration of cooperation in science and technology in order to seek integration in health-related issues and will visit the Cuban Academy of Sciences.
Created in 1964, the Parlatino has among its fundamental objectives the promotion of the economic and social development of the Latin American community and the undertaking of actions in favor of the economic, political, social and cultural integration of its peoples.