Cuba Celebrates World Health Day Highlighting Advances in Family Medicine Model
Cuba is celebrating World Health Day today, showcasing the progress made in the country’s family medicine model. With 11,000 offices and 491 polyclinics, Cuba has been able to consolidate primary care and provide accessible healthcare services to its citizens.
During a recent press conference, Dr. Carilda Peña, the vice minister of the health sector in Cuba, emphasized that Public Health has been a top priority for more than sixty years. The country’s healthcare system is free, regionalized, and comprehensive, with a focus on eliminating discrimination and promoting community participation.
Dr. Pablo A. Feal Cañizares, Director of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Unit in Cuba, highlighted that the majority of World Health Day initiatives are taking place at the local level, within popular councils and constituencies across the country.
Mario Cruz, the representative of the Pan American Health Organization in Havana, also commended Cuba’s healthcare achievements. He noted the recent approval of the Public Health Law by the National Assembly, describing it as a significant step towards ensuring the right to health for all Cubans.
As the world commemorates World Health Day on April 7, with the theme “My Health, My Right,” international organizations acknowledge that access to essential health services remains a challenge for many. According to the World Health Organization, over 4.5 billion people worldwide do not have full access to necessary healthcare services.
In the midst of a global pandemic, political conflicts, and climate change challenges, Dr. Peñate emphasized the importance of highlighting the right to health and the pursuit of a healthy life. World Health Day serves as a reminder of the fundamental need for accessible and equitable healthcare for all.