The fight against cancer reveals the genocidal face of the blockade
- Written by Wennys Diaz Ballaga
- Published in Health
- Hits: 36
Cancer patients in Cuba are victims of the cruelty of the blockade. Photo: José Manuel CorreaResults in controlling the disease "have been affected in recent years by the limitations and restrictions of the blockade". Despite the severe limitations imposed by the economic blockade imposed by the U.S. government, Cuba maintains and develops its Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, reaffirming its constant commitment to the life and health of its people.
On World Cancer Day, Dr. Luis Martínez Rodríguez, director of the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology, stated that "it is the second leading cause of death in our country, but also, something that is also very important: it is the leading cause of potential years of life lost."
He noted that in Cuba, more than 50,000 new cases are diagnosed annually; however, many can be prevented by changing lifestyles.
For his part, Dr. Carlos Alberto Martínez Blanco, head of the Cancer Control Section of the Ministry of Public Health, explained that Cuba has a comprehensive program structured at the three levels of the health system, from primary care to specialized institutes.
He noted that the results in controlling the disease "have been affected in recent years by the limitations and restrictions of the blockade," and detailed specific obstacles: from the acquisition of preventive vaccines to the maintenance of essential technologies, the acquisition of spare parts, cancer-specific drugs, and advanced surgical technologies.
Despite these adversities, the country maintains its strategy based on prevention, health promotion, and the development of a national network that organizes clinical oncology, radiotherapy, and pediatric oncology services, reaffirming its commitment to guaranteeing the right to health. (Source : Granma)
