Havana, November 28 (RHC)-- Cuba maintains today a low prevalence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, with the decrease of new cases and mortality this last year, according to national specialists.

In 2015, the island was the first country in the world to suppress the mother-to-child transmission of HIV, an achievement that it maintains today, while it advances towards the elimination of the sexual transmission of this disease, Dr. Maria Isela Lantero, from the department of STIs-HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis of the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap), told Prensa Latina news agency.

The work in this Caribbean nation to contribute to the end of the epidemic is aligned with UNAIDS' goals for 2020, known as 90-90-90 since its purpose is to diagnose that percentage of people living with HIV, guarantee them continued antiretroviral therapy, and achieve viral suppression of their load.

Cuba eliminated mother-to-child transmission, and it did so with these steps or goals of UNAIDS. Currently, we know 100 percent of the pregnant women, we treat all those who have HIV, and we monitor their viral load,' the doctor explained.

Since 1986, when the first HIV cases were diagnosed until October, 35 thousand people have been diagnosed with the disease on the island, of which 28 thousand 756 remain alive,  José Juanes Fiol, responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the National Program of STIs-HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis told the press.

Each December 1 is World AIDS Day, an opportunity to raise awareness about this disease and promote prevention and treatment actions at the global level.

Under the slogan "World Solidarity, Shared Responsibility," Cuba will carry out various activities in a virtual way aimed at educating the population and multiplying efforts to achieve healthier generations.