The intention of the draft Code is to reflect the priority Cuba gives to the healthy development of minors and the care of their physical and psychological integrity, within and outside the family environment.

Nonetheless, with the introduction of specific rights for children and teenagers in the draft Code, a common question emerged among parents and grandparents: We will we lose authority over our children?

The answer is no. Although the law is explicit in determining the scope of the rights of children and adolescents in the family environment without invalidating the duties and rights of their parents, Granma looks into the arguments that justify the urgency of enforcing what is proposed in the law, based on existing legal experience in Cuba.

GROWING UP WITH GREATER LEGAL PROTECTION

Yamile González Cabrales, president of the Civil, Administrative and Labor Chamber of the People’s Provincial Court in the province of Granma, and vice-president for Civil and Family Law at the headquarters of the provincial branch of the National Union of Jurists of Cuba, explains that the legal treatment of matters involving children and teenagers are usually complex and very sensitive, so it is essential to have an updated legal framework that contemplates their duties and rights.

In this sense, the Families Code project becomes a starting point to broaden the affective and educational horizons of families and to strengthen communication between adults and minors.
-Based on this premise, how is the family impacted by the incorporation of the concept of the child’s best interest?
-This term is enshrined in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, which dates back to 1989 and to which Cuba is a signatory. This norm shapes all provisions that relate to minors because it includes a procedural channel in which the premise is to protect their rights.

That is to say, when a decision is made in a court of law, the safeguarding, protection and recognition of the child’s rights will always be taken into account.

However, it must be considered that the Family Code currently in effect in Cuba dates from 1975, and, although public policies have been established and implemented since then to protect the rights of children, normatively, the best interest of the child was not recognized until the approval of the Constitution of the Republic in 2019.

We believe this principle represents a turning point in the Cuban legal framework, since it seeks a paradigm change in our conception of the child, ending the view of children as only objects of protection to recognize them as subjects of rights.

In fact, in the legal norm in force, communication with minors is conceived only on the basis of the interests of adults. For example, there may be the case of a father who wishes to communicate with his child and the mother of the minor limits him, but neither of them is actually listening to what the child wants.”

Given this reality, and in my experience as a judge, I have not seen a process aimed at establishing obligations for an absent parent to have greater participation in the child’s life based on their needs, such as having their presence at school meetings, in their extracurricular activities or in any other area of their life.

In short, the child is now considered as a person with rights and duties, which will be acquired as the child grows and his or her intellectual capacity matures”.

-Likewise, a controversial issue that the Code has incorporated is the right of minors to be heard in accordance with their capacity and progressive autonomy. Does this concept mean a change in the traditional model of education and formation within Cuban homes?

-It has been established, from the legal point of view, that it is necessary to reach legal adulthood, 18 years of age, to fully enjoy all rights and be capable of exercising them; but this is not how the body works biologically.

Progressive autonomy establishes that the child acquires legal capacity just like they do with the rest of their capacities, as they mature. A six-year-old child will never be evaluated the same way as a 13-year-old teenager.

It should also be clarified that the degree of intellectual maturity may be different in children of the same age. Hence, it must be personalized for each child. And this does not mean in any way that children are going to do whatever they want, or that parents will have their authority limited.

There are circumstances that demonstrate this, such as the case of a child who does not want to undergo medical treatment out of fear, and then the parental responsibility to care for the child prevails because the right to life is paramount.

In any case, it is a matter of legitimizing the active participation of children in the family dynamics. They now have the recognized right to be heard, and to have their opinions taken into consideration. And parents have additional responsibilities.

-This parental responsibility includes the duty to ensure the safety of children in the digital environment, is it a step forward that the Code recognizes the access of minors to virtual platforms as a right?

-First of all, it would be naive to think that it is possible to conceive the growth of children and adolescents apart from the digital world, given the development of information and communication technologies. It is not a conception exclusive to Cuba, but rather an obvious reality in most countries, so access to digital platforms must be a right of minors.

But just as in any other environment, children’s access to the Internet must take into consideration content and proper use of the web, based on their progressive autonomy and under the guidance of parents and teachers.

Today we are facing many unpleasant situations on the Internet that have no legal solution. In this regard, the draft Families Code provides some legal answers. However, the updated and recently approved Penal Code states the procedures for negligent conducts associated with criminal figures on the internet.

-If you had to define the greatest contribution of the new Families Code to the integral development of children and teenagers, what would it be?

-Unfortunately, minors are a vulnerable group who can be put by adults -whether parents, relatives or acquaintances- in situations where they could be the victim. The fact their rights are legally guaranteed makes possible to settle any dispute where they could be involved in a more agile way, while protecting them before, during and after the process.

Even if parents are not present, minors will be able to count on the family ombudsman’s office. In other words, when parents do not respond to the interests of the child, the child will have the opportunity to seek protection and defense of their rights.

In general terms, we are seeing a norm that reflects what is really happening in our society. It does not intend to change anything inside the home; in any case, it seeks to ensure that we can all be represented, especially boys and girls, whose rights are as sacred as our children are.”

(Taken from Granma)

One of the sector’s key achievements has been to maintain an infant mortality rate below five per 1,000 live births for the last 10 years. In 2017, the country achieved a rate of 4.0; proof of its continued efforts to consolidate maternal-infant statistics, to the benefit of Cuban children and families. Meanwhile, heart conditions, cancer and brain diseases are the three main causes of death on the island, where life expectancy at birth is 78.45 years (50.45 for women and 76.50 for men) and the morality rate for seniors over the age of 60 stands at 29 for every 100,000 inhabitants.

Last year, 53 hospitals and 13 medical specialties received new technologies to perform minimal access surgery. I could quote more statistics from the end of 2017 presented by the Ministry of Public Health, but those already mentioned encapsulate the great human effort undertaken by Cuba to provide quality medical care to the entire population,

despite being an underdeveloped nation and victim of an unjust economic blockade imposed by the most powerful nation on Earth, the United States. Among the healthcare sector’s recent accomplishments, it is also worth mentioning exportable products like the vaccine CimaVax, used to treat lung cancer patients and protect those at risk of developing the disease. The medication is currently available across all medical institutions on the island and also registered in various countries.

Meanwhile, this year, the final stages of research are being conducted on promising cancer treatments developed by Cuban scientists, including Racotumomab and VSSP. The former triggers an immune response against a tumor antigen present in malignant cells, meaning that the medication could one day be used to treat leukemia, as well as lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancer. While VSSP, which was originally designed as a composite to boost patients’ immune system, also shows signs of stimulating the body’s immune response against cancer.

Nimotuzumab is also another important medication designed to treat different types of brain and neck cancer, including those which form in the mouth, nose, brain, and throat.

The medication, a humanized therapeutic monoclonal antibody, blocks epidermal growth factor receptors in cancerous cells, stopping their spread and growth.

Then there is Heberferon, a fast and long-lasting medication proven to reduce the size of tumors and wounds in skin cancer patients. With no need for complex surgical procedures, the medication offers positive aesthetic results and better quality of life for the patient. Meanwhile, Policosanol, also known as PPG and created from sugar cane, contains anti-platelet, anti-ischemic, anti-thrombotic and natural properties, making it a versatile medication with few side effects, used to treat various conditions but above all to reduce cholesterol.

Likewise, the use of Heberprot-P with almost 290,000 patients from over a dozen countries is proof of its effectiveness in healing complex wounds, and ischemic and diabetic foot ulcers. According to its developers, the treatment is an epidermal growth factor-based formulation applied to the affected area with a healing time of around three months. This important achievements, along with a series of other scientific results obtained by Cuban experts, will be presented in Havana, during the 14th International Health for All Fair, taking place April 23-27 at the Pabexpo fairgrounds, with exhibitors from 19 countries and 160 companies, according to MSc. Raquel Acosta Porta, vice president of Development at Medicuba, responsible for exporting Cuban medical products, technologies and equipment, speaking to Granma International. “The Health for All Fair is our sector’s most important trade fair and the ideal space to bring together Cuban business representatives and professionals from around the world, offering the opportunity to develop networks, establish work agreements and identify new business partners. Likewise, from a scientific perspective, the event allows participants to develop their knowledge around new technologies in the field of medicine,” explained the director.

Taking place parallel to the Fair will be the 2018 International Cuba Salud Convention at Havana’s International Conference Center, with the participation of 44 sector ministers, in an event that aims to serve as a space for scientific debate, and to present the latest advances and challenges in topics such as quality of care, international cooperation, medical education, and universal health coverage. Two forums will take place during the Convention, one on the clinical trials regulatory body, and another related to foreign investment, organized by the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, with the participation of the BioCubaFarma group which will present new projects focused on the development of medications, and the Cuban Medical Services provider (SMC). In this regard, Dr. Yamila de Armas Águila, first vice president of SMC, explained that tribute will be paid to Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, who pioneered Cuban medical internationalism. Also an assistant professor at Havana’s University of Medical Sciences and family medicine specialist, Dr. Armas Águila noted that the event will focus on Cuban medical services for international patients; health tourism centered on wellbeing and quality of life; participation in scientific events; and the training of health professionals in Cuban universities. Meanwhile, a space will also be dedicated to the leading health programs for international clients as well as a new initiative called: The Water Trail, designed to promote thermal and seaside spas. “We hope to develop a close alliance between medical and eco-tourism,” noted the doctor.

RESULTS OF THE NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN 2017

Maternal-infant program

1. Infant mortality: The island achieved its lowest rate in the country’s history with 4.040 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births, representing 35 fewer fatalities in children under one year of age as compared to 2016.
2. As a result of the development and continual improvement of the Genetic Network initiative, infant mortality caused by congenital defects stands at 0.9 for every 1,000 live births.
3. Morality among children of school age dropped from 2.1 to 1.7 for every 10,000, with 67 less deaths that year.
4.The rate of under weight infants at birth fell from 5.2 to 5.0 for every 100 births.
5.The maternal mortality rate dropped from 42.6 to 37.8 per 100,000 live births

Elderly care program

1. Life expectancy at birth: 78.45 years; 80.45 for women and 76.50 for men.
2. 19.8% of the Cuban population is 60 years of age or older.The mortality rate among the elderly remains 29 per every 100,000 persons aged 60 or older.
3. A continuous decline has been seen in the mortality rate among those aged 75 or older (from 62.4 to 61.9).
4. There are now 287 centers for the elderly (an increase of 11) catering to 9,838 citizens (+390) and 150 seniors homes (+2) with 11,912 beds (+141).
5. There are currently 51 geriatrics departments across healthcare institutions nationwide with 1,049 hospital beds (+22), or one bed per 2,000 elderly citizens.
6. 2017 saw a rise in the availability of health technology and equipment including hearing aids offered at 62 pharmacies across the entire country, as well as wheel chairs, canes, walkers, and hospital beds, among others, benefiting 101,582 patients.

Donation & transplant program

1. 145 organ donations allowed for 454 transplants to be performed, 19 more than 2016, including 198 kidney, 22 liver, 34 bone marrow, and 200 cornea.
2. Meeting targets for the blood donation program has been fundamental to supporting medical services and the production of components and other biotechnology and pharmaceutical products. Of the 408,708 target, a total 411,868 donations were made during 2017.

Comprehensive center control program

1. In order to guarantee cancer treatment for the population, 45 regional oncology centers were opened, 25 specializing in nuclear medicine and nine in radiotherapy.
2. Cancer screening has helped improve early detection, above all for cervical, skin, and breast cancer, allowing for better control and treatment of the disease.
3. The cancer mortality rate has remained the same over the last three years.
4. A reduction was seen in the cancer mortality rate among people aged 19 or younger (-14.2%) as well as those under 69 years of age (breast -4.45%; cervical -2.38%, colon -2.04%)

(Granma)

The Zapata Swamp, a wild area south of western Matanzas province and 180 kilometers southeast of Havana, has a population of 9,000 in 18 communities and covers 1,520 square kilometers.

These demographic and geographic characteristics turn the region into Cuba’s largest municipality and, at the same time, in the least populated area in the country.

Local Health Director Ariel Alayón told Prensa Latina that the region has 13 family doctor’s offices, some of which are in faraway areas and provide specialized medical consults.

He mentioned other favorable indicators in the municipality, like a reduction in the number of children with low weight at birth and zero infections by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits diseases like dengue fever.

The expert attributed these positive results to the intersectorial work done in the healthcare field in coordination with local mass organizations and government institutions.

We have a staff of 150 experts, including physicians and nurses, in addition to technicians and health technologists who work at family doctor’s offices and in two polyclinics, one in Playa Larga and the other one on Cayo Ramona, which are equipped with cutting-edge technology, Alayón noted.

We are also using natural and traditional medicine and have a ward for integral rehabilitation, the official concluded.

(Prensa Latina)

Perceval talked to Prensa Latina about Cuban achievements after concluding a forum in this capital on children’s right to grow up in a family.

Cuba has a program entitled ‘Educate your child’, a global model in early childhood development, that we have shared in other countries, the representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), stated.

Perceval also highlighted with pride the progress in health in the Caribbean nation, the first to validate the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS in 2015.

Another of the country’s great strengths is the preparedness for natural disasters, she noted.

She showed at the same time her gratitude to the Cuban government and people for accepting the Agency’s contribution to the recovery of the country after the hurricanes’ lashes last year.

UNICEF has been working side by side with the Cuban people and government in courage, solidarity and effort, Perceval said enthusiastically.

Perceval visited Nicaragua to recognize the country’s efforts and achievements in the deinstitutionalization of children, one of the main problems in the region.

(Prensa Latina)

At the close of 2017, Santiago de Cuba had the second lowest infant mortality rate in the history of the province (4.0 per 1,000 live births); but with the peculiarity that 49 deaths were reported in children under one year of age, the lowest ever figure in the territory.

The consolidation of these results goes beyond this province, as specialists from Santiago have contributed to the care of infants across the eastern region of the country, in fields such as pediatric intensive care.

In 2018, efforts are focused on the community extension of the provincial Human Milk Bank and the opening in the southern Children’s Hospital of a pediatric care ward for polytraumatized patients, which would make Santiago the third province in the country to offer this service. In addition, efforts are being made to prevent accidents, which are still the main cause of death among preschool, school and adolescent children, Dr. Pérez concluded.

(Granma)