Havana, December 6 (RHC)-- The representative of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) in Cuba, Enrique Pérez, praised the Cuban state for its expenditures in public health, saying it has been a decisive element in the country's proven capacity to respond to health emergencies.

Addressing delegates to the 9th Cuban Congress on Microbiology and Parasitology, which is holding sessions in Havana, the PAHO official noted that Cuba earmarks 11 percent of its GDP to the health sector.

The PAHO official highlighted that the UN body's approach in the region is that of collaboration with governments and health organizations and entities, aimed at saving lives and helping states improve their capacity to respond more effectively to outbreaks of diseases like zika, dengue and yellow fever, among others.

The 9th Congress on Microbiology and Parasitology has the participation of more than 300 experts from 20 nations, among them Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador and the United States.