Cuban Neonatologists meet in Holguín
- Written by Lourdes Pichs Rodríguez
- Published in Health
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Dr. Catherine Chibás Pérez, head of the Maternal and Child Health Department of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP). Photos: By the author.
The neonatology meeting taking place in Holguín from April 2 to 4 has been described as highly beneficial for the specialty. This event brings together professionals from across the country to exchange knowledge in this field, as part of the efforts being carried out to promote neonatal health.
Dr. Catherine Chibás Pérez, Head of the Maternal and Child Health Department of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), said that the sessions include theoretical and practical activities to improve the preparation of healthcare personnel, especially in light of the declining birth rate and aging population in Cuba
"Since 2000, there has been a sustained decline in the birth rate in the country. For example, last year there were about 19,000 fewer live births, and already in the first quarter of this year there were 4,400. Combined with the aging of the population, the reduction in the number of people of childbearing age due to migration, and the shift in birthing ages from very young to over 35, these issues impose the challenge of being well prepared to better manage the unborn child."
She said that the main objective is to reduce the infant mortality rate to less than 7 per 1,000 live births by 2025, improve maternal health, and ensure a good quality of life for children born with low birth weight.
The event is supported by international agencies such as the United Nations agency responsible for sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which collaborate in training and providing resources for maternal and child care.
Holguín was chosen as the venue due to its experience in neonatal hemodynamics, which allows specialists to anticipate and manage complications in high-risk newborns. This meeting reinforces the importance of intersectoral collaboration to achieve healthy pregnancies and improve health indicators in Cuba.
