The island has registered so far a 7.0 rate, compared to 7.4 the previous year, said a report on the implementation of a nationwide plan to comprehensibly tend to children, adolescents and youth.

Presented at Parliament by Vice Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez, the document highlights the current data as one of the achievements stemming from government actions to uphold the rights of minors.

Additionally, “there’s been a drop also in the maternal mortality rate, with no deaths reported so far this year,” the document states, while simultaneously pointing to some negative trends.

There’s no respite in “sexually transmitted infections among 10 to 18 age group” are not decreasing and “abortions among in minors under 19 years of age and in the 12 to 14 age group” are increasing, it indicated.

In Martínez’s words, despite “progress made in applying the policy,” overall results do not comply with Cuba’s social expectations.

During discussions to promote the integral growth of children, adolescents and young people, the deputies agreed on the need to improve economic conditions, so that they can build a life project in their mother country.

They also urged the design of education and recreation programs in healthy and inclusive environments, and to strengthen social prevention efforts, which will prevent them from incurring in vices or crimes.

Ied/ro/raj