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WHO Director General concludes visit to Cuba
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| Published on Thursday, October 29, 2009 | Email To Friend Print Version
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HAVANA, Cuba (ACN) -- The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Margaret Chan, concluded on Wednesday her visit to Cuba, after four days of visits to several scientific and health care institutions and meeting with government officials.
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| WHO Director General, Margaret Chan. AFP PHOTO |
Cuban Public Health Minister Jose Ramon Balaguer bid Chan and Mirta Rosés, director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), farewell at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport.
Before her departure, the WHO Director General thanked the Cuban government for the warm reception received during her stay, during which she met with Revolution leader Fidel Castro and other Cuban leaders.
Margaret Chan described Cuba’s health parameters as impressive despite the US blockade against the island, which are comparable to those of rich nations, she stressed.
She mentioned the reduction of infant mortality rate to 4.7 per one thousand live births, one of the lowest in The Americas, only preceded by Canada; the increase in life expectancy to almost 80 years, and the training of human resources for Cuba and the rest of the world.
During a press conference, Chan reiterated that “Cuba has been for a long time the ultimate symbol of primary health care”, and also excels in international medical cooperation, with the presence, over the last 46 years, of over 100,000 health professionals in some 100 nations.
While referring to her meeting with Fidel, the top official said she was very pleased. “We had a long conversation, for over two hours, during which he looked wonderful”, she said.
The WHO Director General described the exchange as very good, in which they analyzed the response to the A (H1N1) virus, the current and future challenges posed by climate change, the attention to handicapped people, and the situation of hearing-impaired children.
“Fidel Castro’s understanding of health care issues is impressive”, stressed Chan, and praised his commitment to the health of all Cubans. | | | | Reads : 419 | | | |
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