UNICEF and Japan will support Cuba’s response to Covid-19

Havana, Feb 8 (Prensa Latina) The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Cuba, the Government of Japan and authorities of the Caribbean nation will promote the project "Strengthening health capacity to face the Covid-19 crisis", met today.

February 8, 2022
15:25

According to a Unicef statement, the actions of this collaboration are aimed at guaranteeing human security in times of pandemic, by supporting the health system, the vaccination campaign and health education.

The initiative is currently going through the process of purchasing equipment and supplies worth more than two million dollars, to contribute to strengthening the technical capacities of health institutions and two science centers belonging to the BioCubaFarma business group, linked to the development of anti-Covid-19 immunogens.

The support will benefit 253 polyclinics in the provinces of Pinar del Río, Havana, Matanzas, Camagüey, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and Isla de la Juventud Special Municipality.

It will also strengthen the institutional capacities of 14 hospitals in Havana linked to maternal and child care, as well as the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and the Finlay Institute of Vaccines.

It is estimated that it will benefit a total population of 6.6 million people, including more than one million 271 thousand children.

The resources in the process of acquisition consist of equipment to strengthen the cold chain, supplies for vaccination, personal protection equipment and means to guarantee adequate hygiene conditions.

Accessories for oxygen therapy, high-performance ultrasound equipment for pediatric and gynecological hospitals, an ambulance equipped for life support, among others, will also be obtained.

The agreement will be implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, the Ministry of Public Health, Provincial Directorates of Health, BioCubaFarma and the United Nations Population Fund.

Regarding the important donation, the UNICEF Representative in Cuba, Alejandra Trossero, expressed that this joint effort of collaboration between the government, people of Japan and her entity will strengthen the actions carried out by Cuba to face the pandemic and ensure “the well-being of boys, girls, adolescents and their families.

Said project, presented and approved by the Government of Japan, is aligned with the National Response Plan of the Government of Cuba for the control and containment of Covid-19 and the Unicef Emergency Response Plan for the health sector.

ef/ode/cdg