During the meeting, Cerrud acknowledged Cuban capacities including its health system to face the Covid-19 pandemic by using technology and innovation in medical care and its own vaccines, according to the Public Health Ministry (MINSAP)’s website. PARLACENT’s president stated that Central American and Caribbean nations failed to develop vaccines and depended on pharmaceutical companies.

Cerrud further praised Cuban proven capabilities to counteract the economic, commercial and financial U.S. blockade and urged to strengthen relations with Cuba.

He called for seeking alliances that provide openings for Central America and the Dominican Republic, and to follow up on the work deals through the PARLACEN’s Health Commission.

Meanwhile, Portal referred to the structure of Cuba’s National Health System, the training of doctors, nurses and specialists, and the breakthrough of biotechnology.

The Cuban minister praised the history of health collaboration in the Central American region and the training of professionals at the Latin American School of Medicine.

Portal further stood out the sensitive impact that the U.S. blockade has on the health system and medical attention to the population, which made stronger Cuban political will to obtain its own vaccines, pulmonary ventilators and innovative products to face the pandemic.

In this regard, the Director of Science and Technological Innovation Dr. Ileana Morales reviewed the development of innovative medicines such as interferons, the Jusvinza peptide and vaccines.

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