Cuban science makes history

By María Josefina Arce

Every day the Cuban scientific community makes history. Its total commitment to the welfare of citizens and the construction of a more prosperous and just society honors the thought of Cuba's National Hero, José Martí, who expressed that through true science one goes to human equity.

The impulse given to this sector since January 1959 by another great science enthusiast with a vision of the future, the historic leader of the revolution, Fidel Castro, has made it possible for Cubans and citizens of other nations to benefit from innovative medicines, which today are a reference in the treatment of various ailments.
 
Among the long list is Heberprot-P, the flagship drug of Cuban biotechnology. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers have seen their quality of life improve thanks to this drug, which has prevented numerous amputations.
 
And in the face of the world health emergency caused by COVID 19, science in the Greater Antilles grew and, even under these difficult conditions and those imposed by the intensified U.S. blockade, was able to give life to three vaccines and two candidates.
 
Cuba made the news by obtaining the first immunosuppressants in Latin America against a disease that has kept the world in check and has left a trail of pain and death.
 
In the last hours, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva, deputy director of the Pan American Health Organization, highlighted the work done by Cuba and its scientists to achieve anti-COVID 19 vaccines fully developed and produced in the region.
 
Today, most of the Cuban population is vaccinated with our own immunosuppressants. Abdala, Soberana Plus and Soberana 02 have demonstrated their high efficacy and safety.
 
Thanks to this effort, dedication and demonstration of the high level of preparation of our scientists, progress is also being made in the protection of children. In fact, Cuba became the first country in the world to start the vaccination campaign in pediatric ages.
 
Cuba is among the first countries in the world with a higher percentage of its population immunized against the virus.
 
In addition, throughout these two years of pandemic, other medicines have been used to raise the body's defenses, especially those of the elderly, against the disease caused by the new coronavirus, such as Biomodulin T, the result of the work of our researchers.
 
They have also actively participated in the conformation of the sanitary protocols set in motion to face COVID 19, which have been updated over the last 24 months according to the epidemiological situation of the country.
 
Cuba arrives to this January 15, Cuban Science Day, proud and grateful to its scientific community, which has always put its knowledge for the benefit of every citizen and has saved countless lives.