Public health, social organization and international solidarity
The position of the CLACSO Cuba centers regarding COVID-19
CLACSO Cub Centersa
Faced with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the planet, Cuba's experience to this point proves what is possible when there is an organized public health system and a society governed by principles and values of solidarity and altruism.
With a national plan for the prevention and control of the new coronavirus, the Cuban government coordinated all its institutions and social organizations, with the active participation of the population, to confront the contagious disease with timely, calibrated and realistic responses, according to the existing condition at each moment.
Among its other strengths, the Cuban biopharmaceutical industry also has the scientific knowledge and capacity to produce medicines with proven efficacy in the treatment of viral diseases; as well as an advanced epidemiological surveillance system from the communities to the nation, which allows for a swift and precise response to any health problem.
Furthermore, on the international stage, Cuba offers its proven experience in medical cooperation to countries that may need it, since often the confrontation of this type of crisis depends not only on the level of development and available resources, but also on the scientific and humanistic conception of the work of trained professionals willing to assume their functions with total responsibility and dedication.
The response to events such as the British cruise ship carrying infected people, which was authorized to dock in the Cuban port—a decision that has had broad support among our people—indicates that the path to overcoming the new coronavirus cannot be one of seeking a selfish, dehumanized, or commercial salvation, but rather a concerted action based on ethical and solidarity values and the proper and responsible management of medical protocols.
This will be how the Cuban government and Revolution, together with the people, will confront this pandemic, inspired by their history of solidarity and Martí's precept that Homeland is Humanity.
How does epidemiological surveillance work in Cuba?
In Cuba, educational messages to the population have multiplied, as well as the preparation, training, and organization of medical services to provide health care from the community.
Work continues on controlling all travelers arriving in the country through any border point, and epidemiological surveillance measures and information control at points of entry are being further strengthened to carry out timely actions, intervention, follow-up, and epidemiological surveillance for 14 days on 100% of travelers arriving in the country.
The first phase of training for staff working in health institutions and for residents of various communities and towns has concluded.
The intention is to update and inform 100% of the health personnel, which not only includes the professionals who provide medical assistance, but also the paramedics and those who transport, clean and sanitize the places where a patient with an acute respiratory crisis may have been.
Initially, some 160 experts were trained, who then trained another 2.000 in their home provinces. This methodology ensures that specialized courses are delivered simultaneously to a larger number of people quickly and effectively. The trained specialists also contribute to conducting health education sessions in workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods.
Why doesn't Cuba close its borders?
So far, with the rigorous control measures being taken at airports, it is not necessary to close borders, limit the entry of certain tourists into the country, or reduce the number of flights.
Yes, monitoring is being intensified for passengers arriving from countries with the highest incidence of coronavirus. Upon arrival of each aircraft, a doctor, acting as the health authority, boards and interviews the crew. If there are no confirmed or suspected cases, disembarkation is authorized.
The aircraft is then inspected by a border inspector. If a suspected case is identified, the passenger is taken to the temporary isolation room at the airport, where they undergo an epidemiological survey and a clinical evaluation. Subsequently, the Cuban Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIUM) is requested to transfer them to the designated hospital facilities: the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine for adults; the Ángel Arturo Aballí and Juan Manuel Márquez hospitals for minors; and the Enrique Cabrera General Teaching Hospital for pregnant women.
In a second line of surveillance, temperature sensors are in place to detect any temperature exceeding 37 degrees Celsius. Nursing staff are on standby to observe any signs or symptoms the passenger may exhibit that could raise suspicion. If an alarm is triggered, the individual is immediately isolated from the flow of passengers. If a suspected case is confirmed, the aforementioned protocol is activated.
The third line of surveillance involves the passenger completing a traveler's health declaration. This information is collected daily and then sent to the health authorities, where the traveler's family doctor will check on them every 14 days.
In the case of the Italian citizens who tested positive for the virus, they did not present symptoms at the time of their arrival in Cuba, so it was very difficult to identify them.
The numbers
As of March 16, there are five confirmed cases in Cuba: 3 of Italian nationality and 2 of Cuban nationality.
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