UNICEF Cuba and the Government of Japan initiate project to strengthen the capacities of the National Healthcare System in the context of COVID-19

La Habana, February 3rd, 2022 - After the signing of the Project “Strengthening of the health capacities for the COVID-19 crisis”, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Cuba, with the financing of the Government of Japan and the participation of Cuban authorities, is initiating the actions of this collaboration effort aimed at ensuring human safety in times of pandemic, through support provided to the healthcare system, the vaccination campaign and health education.

The project is now in the process of purchasing 2,018,570.48 US dollars’ worth of equipment and supplies to contribute to the strengthening of the technical capacities of healthcare institutions in the island and of two scientific centers that belong to BIOCUBAFARMA and are related to vaccine development.

This support will benefit a total of 253 general clinics in the provinces of Pinar del Río, La Habana, Matanzas, Camagüey, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and the Isle of Youth Special Municipality. Additionally, it will strengthen the institutional capacities of 14 Havana hospitals related to mother-and-child care, as well as of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) and the Finlay Vaccines Institute (IFV). It is estimated that the project will benefit a total population of 6.6 million people, including 1,271,231 children.

The resources being acquired consist of equipment for the strengthening of the cold chain, vaccination supplies, personal protection equipment (PPE), means for the guaranteeing of adequate hygiene conditions, accessories for oxygen therapy, high-performance ultrasound equipment for pediatric and maternity hospitals, an ambulance equipped for vital support, among others.

The project will also enable the technical training of the health personnel leading the immunization program, related to pediatric care and neonatal nursing at the Primary Healthcare level. Meanwhile, interventions for health promotion and education will be carried out.

These actions are expected to improve the institutional response and technical capacities of healthcare to treat complications related to COVID-19, strengthen the technical capacities of healthcare personnel in the administration of vaccines and mother-and-child care, and contribute to raising the awareness of the population regarding the benefits of vaccines, COVID-19 prevention and other good practices.

This project, presented and approved by the Government of Japan, is in line with the Government of Cuba’s National Response Plan for the control and containment of COVID-19 and the UNICEF’s Emergency Response Plan for the health sector.

The agreement will be implemented with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX), the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), provincial Health Offices, BIOCUBAFARMA, the Finlay Vaccines Institute, the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA).

On this important donation, UNICEF’s Representative in Cuba, Ms. Alejandra Trossero said: “This joint collaboration effort between the Government and the people of Japan and UNICEF will strengthen the actions carried out by Cuba to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and guarantee the well-being of children, adolescents and their families”.