Havana: Cuba expressed willingness to cooperate with Kerala in the health sector. The understanding ensued during discussions Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held with senior health officials in Cuba.
During the talks, Chief Minister referred to Cuba’s world renowned health system spanning public health care, tropical medicine, neuroscience research, molecular immunology and cancer treatment. Cuba’s biotechnology and pharmaceuticals have made great strides in the manufacture of world class drugs and medical equipments. With co-operation forged in these areas, there would come glaring changes in Kerala, said CM.
Welcoming Cuban participation and investment in Kerala’s health and allied sectors, the Chief Minister also expressed interest in setting up of a vaccine manufacturing unit in Kerala in collaboration with BioCubaFarma. Arrangements will be set up to facilitate continued cooperation and exchange of ideas between health establishments of Cuba and Kerala, said CM.
The Chief Minster also expressed belief that ties between the two entities can be sustained for long term by holding annual workshops and such. A Working Group shall be formed comprising officials from Cuba and Kerala, one that would be headed by the Principal Secretary of Health Dept in Kerala, said CM, adding that a Cuban experts’ delegation would be invited to Kerala for further discussions on cooperation in the health, research and construction sectors.
Health Minister Veena George also spoke at the meeting. The discussions were held with BioCubaFarma president Eduardo Marinez Diaz and Director General of the National Centre for Neurosciences (NCEURO), Dr. Michell Valdes Sossa and Centre For Molecular Immunology(CIM) Director, Eduardo Ojitto Magus.
In attendance with the Chief Minster were : inister KN Balagopal, Planning Board Vice Chairman VK Ramachandran, John Brittas MP, Chief Secretary VP Joy, State Government Officer on Special Duty New Delhi Venu Rajamani, Health Department Principal Secretary APM Muhammad Haneesh and others
