PAHO presented Dr. Alfredo Espinosa with an award    (Photos: Mireya Ojeda)

Cienfuegos, January 22 (RHC)-- The Minister of Public Health, Dr. José Ángel Portal Miranda, presented the Pan American Health Organization's Award for Management and Leadership in Health Services 2023 to Dr. Alfredo Espinosa Brito, of the Gustavo Aldereguía Lima General Hospital in Cienfuegos.

He pointed out that PAHO at its 60th Directing Council corresponding to the Session of the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization for the Americas granted the Award in recognition of the trajectory in Cuba.

He highlighted the impact of his scientific publications in the region of the Americas and the contribution to primary care and the network in prevention and promotion, especially in addressing the burden of NON-communicable diseases in vulnerable populations and the elderly.

He was accompanied by Dr. Gerardo de Cosío, PAHO representative in Cuba.

The award ceremony took place at the Annual Balance 2023 of the Provincial Health Directorate in Cienfuegos, where the General Director, Dr. Yagen Pomares Pérez, who will occupy another responsibility, was released and Dr. Pável Noa Rodríguez took over the position.

Among the milestones of 2023, the selection as Outstanding national province for the results in Health indicators and Socialist Emulation, among other awards, stand out and keep the Turquino Plan of the mountains of the Guamuhaya Group without infant mortality for 18 consecutive years and maternal mortality for 38 years.

The Community Trial of anti-pneumococcal vaccination in the pediatric population, between 1 and 5 years of age, reached more than 95 percent and was recognized by the scientist Vicente Vérez Bencomo, General Director of the Finlay Vaccine Institute, who attended the Annual Balance.

The head of Public Health, Doctor José Ángel Portal Miranda, commented on the priorities of the Health Sector, after the complexities of the year that ended: "We have had to print a different rhythm of work to our institution and we had to adopt dynamic decisions on the march of many events.

"I am fully aware of that scenario and in the midst of it I come to ask you for a greater effort in the economic situation to which the effect of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 and the intensification of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the government of the United States, which includes a relentless war in our country, has led us.  This effort is deserved by our people, who need it".