Havana, January 26 (RHC)-- The Representative in Cuba of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), María Machicado, praised in Havana Cuba's achievements in childcare over the past twelve months, noting that the country exhibits the best indicators in all of Latin America and the Caribbean.

In statements to Cuban press, the UNICEF official noted that in 2017 Cuba registered a child mortality rate of 4 per every one thousand live births --the lowest ever in the country's history. She added that over the past ten years Cuba has registered child mortality rates below 5 percent –the region's lowest.

Machicado commended also Cuba's immunization program, noting that it stands at 98 percent with 11 vaccines that protect newborn babies against 13 diseases.

“This is a clear indication of the huge efforts by Cuban health specialists because the child mortality causes in today's world are far more complex and difficult to resolve,” said the UNICEF official, who is attending the 28th Pediatrics Congress that is holding sessions here in Havana with the participation of some 400 Cuban and foreign delegates.