Cuba first to eliminate mother-to-baby HIV transmission

[flamingdem]

Source: Guardian

Cuba has become the first country to eliminate the transmission of HIV and syphilis from mother to baby, the World Health Organisation has announced.

The WHO’s director general, Margaret Chan, said it was “one of the greatest public health achievements possible” and an important step towards an Aids-free generation.

Over the past five years, Caribbean countries have had increased access to antiretroviral drugs as part of a regional initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission.

HIV and syphilis testing for pregnant women and their partners, caesarean deliveries and substitution of breastfeeding have also contributed to the breaking of the infection chain, said the WHO.

Carissa Etienne, the director of the Pan American Health Organisation, which partnered with the WHO on the initiative, said: “Cuba’s achievement today provides inspiration for other countries to advance towards elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.”

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jun/30/cuba-first-eliminate-mother-baby-hiv-transmission?CMP=share_btn_fb

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Big news along with the opening of the embassies. Viva Cuba!

World Health Organisation hails ‘one of the greatest public health achievements possible’, five years into regional initiative

[Spitfire of ATJ]

1. 2015 is turning out to be a very historic year.

[Peace Patriot]

2. Achieved with FREE medical care for all, and FREE medical education...

...for all academically qualified students!

Awesome!

And this is not the whole story of Cuba's medical and other achievements, which include developing a vaccine for lung cancer, providing doctors and medical teams worldwide in disaster situations (such as the earthquake in Haiti) and in rural areas with no medical care or facilities, one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, one of the most highly educated populations in the world (all education is free), one of the most highly developed urban farming cultures in the world, one of the most highly developed organic agriculture systems, and much more.

Viva Cuba!!!

[kenfrequed]

8. Cuba has accomplished some remarkable things

Imagine what we might have shared had we been more open with them earlier.

[riversedge]

3. Whow. We have a lot to learn.

So good for mom's and babies--therefore for families

[freshwest]

4. This is good. Thanks, Cuba! Thanks, Obama! n/t

[candelista]

7. "Thanks Obama"?

What did he have to do with this?

[geek tragedy]

5. what Cuba has been able to accomplish in terms of medical science

and public health is truly remarkable and something every country could learn from.

Am I correct in understanding that Cuba has produced more medical advances than the former Soviet Union did?

[Gloria]

6. I remember llistening as the State Dept.'s plans

for Cuba were read over the air ....I sure hope they don't get totally screwed up by corporate America...Their literacy rate is amazing, and if we get our mitts in there and "reform" that, then, we'll screw that up, too. They grow their own food in urban gardens, they are just so incredible.

While I'm glad Cuba is no longer off limits to visit, I fear for Cuba in MANY ways...