Project with funds from the Government of Japan delivered state-of-the-art ambulance for critical maternal assistance

Havana, February 27, 2023.- A new state-of-the-art ambulance was officially handed over at the National Emergency Medical Base in Havana. The ambulance was acquired under the project “Strengthening Health Capacity for the COVID-19 Crisis”, with funds from the Government of Japan and implemented by UNICEF Cuba, and is designed to strengthen the timely care of critical maternal patients.

In his remarks, the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Hirata Kenji, stated that the donation of the ambulance sought to contribute to the improvement of medical care in the maternity sector. “I hope that the Cuban people can receive this small donation as another token of the solidarity and friendship of the Japanese people,” he acknowledged.

The UNICEF Representative in Cuba, Alejandra Trossero, said that UNICEF are “honored to receive the confidence of the Japanese Embassy in Cuba and the Japanese people, who have given us the task of bringing the necessary equipment to strengthen the health system in Cuba. The ambulance represents the possibility that pregnant women in a critical health situation may be transferred to a hospital quickly”.

This ambulance was acquired according to the specifications of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) and is equipped with advanced technologies

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment, Deborah Rivas Saavedra, the Deputy Minister of Hygiene and Epidemiology of MINSAP, Dr. Carilda Peña García and the National Director of the Integrated System for Medical Emergencies (SIUM-MINSAP), Dr. Carlos Pérez Díaz, who expressed MINSAP’s gratitude for the delivery of the ambulance.

Dr. Tania Torres, director of the national base for Medical Emergencies, explained that the ambulance functions as a mobile intensive care unit, composed of equipment for mechanical ventilation, for the management of polytraumatized pregnant women and for the clinical care of critical maternal patients.

Results achieved by the project “Strengthening health capacity for the COVID-19 crisis” in its first year of implementation

• More than 10,000 health professionals in areas of high transmissibility have personal protective equipment (PPE).
• 255 general clinics in seven of the country’s provinces (Pinar del Río, La Habana, Matanzas, Camagüey, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and the Isle of Youth Special Municipality) and 4 maternity hospitals have vaccination supplies, such as syringes, safety boxes for syringe disposal, among others.
• 8 pediatric hospitals in Havana were strengthened with oxygen therapy accessories.
• 3 pediatric hospitals and 2 maternity hospitals in Havana have high-performance ultrasound systems that have allowed them to resume the bone and soft tissue imaging service.
• 255 general clinics have guaranteed cold chain temperature control for the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI).
• 255 general clinics in primary health care (PHC) and 13 maternal and child health care hospitals in Havana received new LED luminaires, which have enabled them to improve medical procedures.
• 255 general clinics in PHC and 13 maternal and child health care hospitals strengthened the cold chain with the acquisition of 447 refrigerators prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Two scientific centers belonging to the Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Group (BIOCUBAFARMA) and linked to the development of vaccines strengthened their cold chain with the acquisition of WHO-prequalified refrigerators, coolers with their temperature controllers, ice pack cold accumulators, as well as freezers for the development of new vaccine candidates.
• 60 neonatology specialists, including heads of leading services in the country, members of the National Neonatal Nursing Group and heads of nursing services improved and updated their knowledge in neonatal care.
• 40 health professionals in person and another 20 virtually exchanged experiences and strengthened their knowledge through the joint UNFPA – UNICEF workshop.
• 63 health professionals strengthened their skills in perinatological care.