Matanzas, along the paths of law (+photos).

The province of Matanzas hosted the central activities for the World Day of Response to HIV / AIDS for its results in the actions of prevention and control of the disease.

The province of Matanzas hosted the central activities for the World Day of Response to HIV/AIDS due to its results in the prevention and control of the disease.

Carilda Peña García, Vice Minister of Public Health declared that this province is an example of the progress made in the development of the actions of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program.

«It is a province that has shown progress in the STI and HIV-AIDS program. Today we are here even testing Pre-Exposure Therapy, which is one of the lines or pillars that the World Health Organization has in terms of the quality of life of patients or people living with HIV. And Matanzas is a pioneer, it is a leader, it has emerged and we believe that it is an example for the rest of the country’s territories in everything it achieves. Not only the health sector, but the whole society, all the agencies of the Central State Administration in terms of achieving the proposed objectives».

During the ceremony, Pablo Omar Milián, coordinator of the Cuba Network, presented the Esperanzas Awards to recognize the work of those institutions, agencies, organizations and/or individuals who have stood out in prevention activities and solidarity towards the community of people affected by the virus.
The campaign «Decide your game» was also presented, with the purpose of reinforcing decision making and promoting safe behaviors in favor of adolescent health.

The cultural activity, under the artistic direction of Ángel Román, included the participation of the Vida Music Band and the group Ron con Cola, author of the campaign song.

A community promotion and prevention fair was also held in Libertad Park, where Red Cuba volunteers exhibited their work.
The UN-AIDS World AIDS Day 2024 report states that the global response to HIV is at a turning point, considering that the world currently has the means to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The response has moved closer to the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat, a commitment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Globally, fewer people contracted HIV in 2023 than at any time since the late 1980s.

Despite these successes, the world is not on track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. And in regions where the number of new HIV infections is rising most rapidly, the rollout of pre-exposure prophylaxis is proceeding slowly.

Coverage of prevention services among populations at higher risk of HIV infection is low. In at least 28 countries, the number of HIV infections is increasing and a growing lack of resources is jeopardizing the important gains made to date in the global HIV response. Cuba shows indicators that bear no resemblance to those mentioned above.

A total of 34,125 people are living with HIV in the country today. Of these, 97 percent (%) receive antiretroviral treatment, as recommended by the World Health Organization. Moreover, free and accessible anywhere in the country.

Eighty-nine percent (89%) have suppressed viral load. Medical care is guaranteed at all levels of care of the National Health System and the strategy of pre-exposure prophylaxis is developed in 35 polyclinics, nine community centers and a mobile PrEP.

The event was also attended by Yosveni Verdeal, member of the Cuban Communist Party Bureau in charge of the social sector in the province, Lázaro Suárez Navarro, vice-governor, and officials of the mass organizations and health managers.

Written by Yunielys Moliner Isasi.