Health on the 2025 Cuba events agenda

By Daily Pérez Guillén

“Universal Health and Equity in Health, based on the One Health paradigm” is the guiding motto of the 5th Cuba Health 2025 International Convention, the 16th Health for All Fair and the 2nd International Medical Tourism and Wellness Fair, to be held between April 21 and 25 next year at the Havana International Conference Center the Pabexpo fairgrounds.

This fifth edition will host the first One Health Congress as a novelty, with the purpose of establishing consensus on this paradigm, a pillar of sustainable development.

At a press conference, Cuban Ministry of Public Health authorities informed that national and international organizations will be sponsoring the Convention, which aims to discuss public health management models in the post-COVID-19 era. Dr. Ileana Morales Suárez, director of Science and Technological Innovation at the ministry, explained that this space would also serve as a scientific and academic scenario for exchanges on the most relevant issues on the 2030 global health agenda.

Presentations and professional exchanges will also be held on comprehensive epidemic preparedness based on the experiences of COVID-19, the impact of climate change on health, the safety and quality of medical care, chronic diseases and the increase in morbidity and mortality worldwide, emerging diseases, science and innovation and the training of human capital.

Likewise, the inclusion of health in public policies, strategies and economics of healthcare activity, new processes in primary care, evaluation of healthcare technology, computerization, communication, ethics and regulatory laws associated with this sector will be part of the event agenda.

Conferences, workshops, symposiums and colloquiums, exhibitions, fairs, book presentations and visits to healthcare centers will be some of the other activities included in the 2025 program.

Pablo Castell, director of the National School of Health, estimated that some 1,000 delegates, including those attending the event in Havana and those participating virtually, will be sharing their knowledge and experiences on maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, care for the elderly, hygiene and epidemiology, among other topics.

The 16th Health for All Fair and the 2nd International Medical Tourism and Wellness Fair will be held in parallel to the Cuba Health 2025 International Convention, showcasing scientific-technological advances, innovative business models, research, services and products, both from domestic and foreign companies, applied to tourism and healthcare in general.

Dr. Yamila de Armas Águila, president of the Cuban Medical Services Marketing Company, explained that the “presence of our network of international health care services will be focused on all products related to the improvement of well-being and quality of life.”

The organizers hope that the 3rd Foreign Investment Forum in the health sector will also be a space to promote foreign investment opportunities in Cuba and their development prospects.