Pakistan, Cuba to cooperate in health sector
By Adnan Rafique

Islamabad—Ambassador of Cuba Mr.. Gustavo Machin Gomez called on the Federal Minister for Health Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakharani here
On Friday and discussed matters pertaining to expansion and consolidation of cooperation between Pakistan and Cuba in the field of Medical Education, Public Health especially Primary Health Care and supply of Hepatitis-B Vaccine. The Ambassador offered to provide capacity of filling capsules with the Vaccine of Hepatitis B and Interferon which will be supplied to Pakistan in bulk. The Ambassador said that Hepatitis B Vaccine Interferon can be made available if a formal request is made to Cuban Government after the approval of Cabinet and Joint Economic Commission of Cuba and Pakistan. He also offered other Vaccines like Pantavalant Vaccine. He apprised the Minister that the Government of Cuba has offered 1000 students Scholarship to the Government of Pakistan and presently there are 956 students studying in various Medical Colleges in Cuba.
He was happy to mention to the Minister that Cuba has Infant Mortality rate of five per thousand against Pakistan 78. He also mentioned that Cuba has one doctor for 123 persons while Pakistan has one doctor for 1300 persons. This they achieved by establishing small units like Federal Government Services Hospital, Islamabad which provides Primary Health Care Services and Preventive Health Care Services.
The Minister for Health highly appreciated the achievements of Cuban Government in the health sector. The Minister emphasized to strengthen the Primary Health Care Services in Pakistan with the support of Cuban Government. He said that the success of Cuban Government is due to the strengthen of Primary Health Care and Preventive Health Care. He said that unless and until we can not improve our Primary Health Care and Preventive Health Care, we can not achieve tangible results.
The problems of Pakistani student s in Cuba also came under discussion. The Ambassador invited the Health Minister to visit Cuba and meet the students there and study the health system of Cuba. He also congratulated the Minister on his appointment as Minister for Health.