• Submitted by: admin
• Science and Technology
• Health and Medicine
• 11 / 12 / 2009

---

A whole investigation is being made in every block to find out news cases.

Influenza A (H1N1) has become a pandemic rapidly spread throughout the world. Cuba does not escape such reality. In short period of time, it has led to a sensitive epidemiological situation which gets worse by the existence of other diseases such
as dengue, which is also a latent threat.
 
This new disease is unique since it mainly affects young people and pregnant women. The latter, due to explainable physiological or immunological reasons, are particularly vulnerable; therefore, they are investigated with much rigor.

Children under five and people with chronic conditions like asthma or other respiratory diseases, heart disease, brain disability are also among the most vulnerable groups. But nobody should feel free to contract this disease from influenza A (H1N1). It can affect anyone.

We Cubans have a very strong national health system, accessible and free for all people, able to cope with the different scenarios this pandemic may present, which is enhanced under the direction of the Civil Defense system and the actions of all ministries and territories.

Cuba has the most advanced equipment for diagnosis of pathogens, and patient samples are collected anywhere in the country until they reach the IPK (Pedro Kourí Institute) to be processed quickly.

The Influenza A (H1N1) is worrying because of its dangerousness and everyone should contribute to not spread it, especially in regard to personal and collective hygiene: washing hands, covering our mouth when coughing or sneezing, and timely medical care to people with persistent respiratory symptoms and especially those people that match these symptoms with basic chronic diseases.


The Cuban State offers wage and working guarantees to those affected by influenza.

As part of the action plan adopted by the country in the treatment infected people or potential risks of contracting pandemic H1N1, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security applies a number of indications protected by the provisions in Article 13,

Resolution 90, issued on July 2nd this year for health disaster and that protects only those diagnosed or suspected with influenza.

The Cuban government, once again, put all its resources to safeguard human life, an issue that was recognized by Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Margaret Chan, during her recent visit to the island.

Referring to the country's health policy, she stated that "Cuba has the right vision and direction. Health is a state policy and is considered a citizens’ right ". Furthermore, Chan commented on the Cuban government’s achievements with increased life expectancy and reducing infant mortality. She also said that “for a developing country is not easy to achieve these good health indicators.”

Margaret Chan said she came to learn from the excellent efforts of the Cuban health system.

WHO is carefully following the steady work of the Cubans to fight the swine flu since the island counts with a system of primary care, community care, equality, and access for all to health.

Source: Cubasí