According to Rios, who is a specialist in angiology and vascular surgery, the possibility of benefiting the Venezuelans with one of the flagship medicines of the Cuban biotechnology, the recombinant human epidermal growth factor is a privilege.

In dialogue with Prensa Latina, the technical coordinator of the Good Living for Diabetics Program highlighted that the efficacy in using this drug in patients with a satisfactory response to the treatment reflects the positive impact of the project.

The Cuban collaborator, who favors health preventive and promotional actions, explained the importance of this function to achieve an early diagnosis of injuries and avoid invasive procedures.

Cuban angiologists and vascular surgeons are advising and training colleagues in Venezuela through comprehensive care for people affected with this disease.

With more than 250,000 patients treated since 2008, the Good Living for Diabetics Program has the participation of the Cuban Medical Mission, the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and the Immuno-Testing Vaccination Research Center, both from Cuba.

(Taken from Prensa Latina)

Scientific evidence has already shown the harmful relationship between diabetesand cardiovascular and vascular diseases. Suffice it to say that the risk of suffering the latter triples for people whose glucose levels fall out the normal range.

The preventions of the complications of diabetes were the focus of the recently concluded 1st International Diabetes Congress – which took place in Havana with the participation of more than 400 specialists from 20 nations -,as the director of the Institute National of Endocrinology Dr. Ileydis Iglesias Marichal said to Granma International newspapers.

Dr. Iglesias Marichal also emphasized the importance of controlling another silent epidemic such as obesity, since around 80% of people with this condition debut with diabetes throughout their lives. Similarly, smoking is a risk factor to develop the disease, the specialist warned.
The interviewee also called the attention about hidden kidney disease in diabetes. In Cuba – country with better glycemic control of its patients according to reports from the Pan-American Health Organization-, diabetes is the second cause for kidney disease. “A timely follow-up delays and avoids complications such as dialysis or kidney transplantation,” she said.

The wake-up call extends to conditions such as retinopathy, the first cause of blindness, which is also linked to this chronic metabolic disease. Therefore, it is critical not only the glycemic control, but also the active screening of the eye fundus to detect any alteration.

Regarding amputation, another major complication of diabetes, Dr. Iglesias Marichal explained that prevention is aimed at detecting the risk of experiencing foot ulcer. «Although the rates of amputation have decreased by more than 70% in Cuba with the introduction of the Heberprot-p, it has also been essential the generalization of a project throughout the national territory to detect the foot at risk in this program, as well as the correction of orthopedic deformities, and to avoid the vascular or dermatological problems that can also cause the appearance of ulcers,” she concluded.

IN FIGURES

In Cuba:

747,466 diabetic people.

18 diabetic care centers.

19 diabetes and pregnancy services.

150 secondary care hospitals, the National Institute of Endocrinology and other specialized services.

100% of patients have access to glucometers.

12 hours of US blockade equals one year’s worth of insulin for all patients who use this medication.