Speaking to the press, Martinez, who is a member of the American College of Cardiology and works at the Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey, said that there is much to learn from Cuban medicine, which in addition to being provided free of charge despite financial limitations, manages to do a great deal for the health of the nation’s inhabitants.

“Cuba’s results in the field of Cardiology are fabulous, and should be known by the world scientific community,” Dr. Martinez said, who noted the quality of Cuban specialists who have the ability to serve everyone who needs treatment.

He insisted that it is important to come to Cuba to events like this, to share and exchange common experiences in the field of Cardiology, because we have the same problems with cholesterol, arrhythmias, damage caused to smokers, and other pathologies that affect the heart.

The gathering of some 400 specialists was also attended by Professor Giovanni Pedrazzini, president of the Swiss Society of Cardiology, who highlighted the quality of Cuban medicine, which amidst many limitations maintains all its services.

During a presentation offered within the framework of the event, Pedrazzini said that if something merits attention in the case of Cuba, it is the joint work of its institutions that, despite limited resources, make the most of the country’s indisputable medical talent.

(Granma)

Nevertheless, a Red List of Cuban Flora was compiled in 2016, by a group of scientists affiliated with the University of Havana’s National Botanical Garden; the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment’s Institute of Ecology and Systematics; the National Center for Protected Areas; the University of British Columbia, in Canada; and the Holguin Botanical Garden, revealing that approximately half of the 4,627 plant species evaluated in the research project were in danger of extinction.

Human activity is mainly responsible for this dire situation, with deforestation, livestock ranching, agriculture, and the presence of invasive alien species having the greatest impact.

Dr. Ramona Oviedo Prieto, researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Systematics, and an authority on the subject, discussed this last threat with Granma International, explaining that the term “invasive alien species” refers to plants from other places introduced intentionally or not by human beings, which have adapted to the environment and are capable of reproducing prolifically and extending their habitat beyond the area where they were first planted.

As the expert explained, these species impact biological diversity, particularly endemic flora and ecological functions, as well as altering the landscape, and affecting agricultural and forestry production.

They can also adversely affect the quality of soil and water. Some of these plants even play a role in transmitting diseases to humans, she noted.

According to the findings of research projects carried out in several stages by a group of scientific entities under the direction of Dr. Ramona Oviedo, members of her team and collaborators, by 2001 a total of 323 plants had been identified as invasive alien species in Cuba.

It was possible to define the 100 most aggressive for our archipelago, based on the magnitude of damages they cause to native biota and a variety of productive activities, also taking into consideration the degree to which they have spread across the country.

The list of these alien species is headed by marabou, and includes the Australian pine, rose apple, ipil-ipil, vachellia aroma, African tulip, and cajeput, all to be found in terrestrial environments, while water plants in this category include water hyacinths and miriofilum, among others.

Considering the importance of permanently monitoring the devopment of this environmental problem, the National Herbarium Working Group, attached to the Institute of Ecology and Systematics, is updating the national inventory of alien invasive and potentially invasive plants, focusing on those with greater incidence or aggressiveness in natural, semi-natural, and agricultural ecosystems, recognized for their biological diversity, landscape value, ​​and economic contribution.

Although this arduous, ongoing task has not yet been completed, preliminary results for the period 2015-2019 reveal 35 new reports of alien invasive and potentially invasive plants, of which 10 are new to most of the West Indies.

Other findings include 25 possible changes in the aforementioned classification and modifications to the list of the most aggressive species and those of greatest presence in different ecosystems and environments, in order to determine if they maintain the same status, or if not, make required adjustments.

According to Dr. Ramona Oviedo, the collection of new complementary information will help to fill the gaps in knowledge that were noted in the research carried out between 2007-2011 and 2012-2014, including aspects related to geographical distribution, damage to ecosystems, and dispersal and propagation mechanisms.

The expert stressed that new harmful effects associated with these species have been detected recently in several agro-industrial activities.

“One of the most worrisome is related to difficulties that exist in a significant number of sugarcane fields where mechanized harvesting is affected by the increasing invasion of woody species, such as the Indian carob tree, other albizias and leucaenas.”

She emphasized that with the participation of a group of scientific, and environmental management experts, teaching and productive institutions, today steps are being taken to improve management and control of the most harmful and widely-dispersed invasive plants.

She noted the example of a pilot project to recover biological diversity, which is underway in the border forests of wetlands in the southern reaches of the provinces of Artemisa and Mayabeque, through natural regeneration and planting of native species, while at the same time, work is being done to reduce the presence of several invasive plants well established in the area, in particular almonds, casuarina and leucaena.

All of this research and the application of findings are among tasks outlined in National Biodiversity Targets 2016-2020, the Global Strategy for the Conservation of Plant Species 2011-2020, and the Aichi Goals, in addition to contributing to the implementation of Tarea Vida, the national plan to confront climate change.

(Granma)

The vital importance of applying science and technology in national industry investments, to ensure present and future progress, was reiterated by the President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, during meetings to review the implementation of the national packaging and industrial development plans.

Once again, the President insisted on the necessity of strengthening collaboration between industry, universities, and research centers.

During the meeting, Comandante de la Revolución Ramiro Valdés Menéndez and the ministers of Industry and Food Industry, Alfredo López and Iris Quiñones, respectively, participated to analyze progress made on the directives emphasized by the President in previous reviews.

Among the issues evaluated in the context of the packaging policy was the comprehensive proposal to strengthen the national center dedicated to these productions, as well as the investment plan with a view to gradually replacing containers for products exported that are now imported, as explained on the Presidential website.

The magnitude of the task is made clear by the fact that the 480 exportable items identified require 2,782 types of packaging, of which 1,642 are made in Cuba and 1,140 imported.It was reported that in the last five years investments for more than 170 million pesos were made in the packaging industry, especially in plants based on the use of paper, plastic, and wood. The perspective through 2025 is to allocate an additional 280 million pesos.Notable growth in the reuse of glass, plastic, and metal containers was noted, and Díaz-Canel highlighted efforts made to learn about international trends in packaging, which have included exchanges between foreign experts and students at the José Antonio Echevarría University of Technology and the Industrial Design Institute.

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.

Open through the month of June, the first exposition, at the Lugwig Foundation in Vedado, is included in the event’s global exhibition, under the title: Beyond forms.

In this space, the Pablo Center has fostered a journey through the role of design in all its cultural programs, practically a retrospective of the multiple styles manifested in works that now can be appreciated as a whole, with vibrant, coherent, and even provocative designs.

Víctor Casaus, poet, filmmaker, and director of the Center, shares his view of what can be seen at the Lugwig and what it represents for the Center, “For us it is very encouraging. For example, we see the posters of the ‘A guitarra limpia’contest, a project that has reached its 20th birthday; we pay homage to Héctor Villaverde, creator of the Center’s visual identity, the famous one of Pablo’s eyes; the logos of ‘A guitarra limpia,’ and digital art, and a collection of the posters that were made for the digital art halls; we have the original serigraphs there.

”The magnificent grouping of the posters has achieved a high level of communication and this is evident in those created for two of the Center’s very important projects: No to violence against women and in defense of the rights of children.

Not to be missed is the work of well-known designer Kelly Nunez for the contest on the Spanish Civil War and Pablo, a very beautiful piece, with a white background, and a feather descending from a red thread, ink or blood, Casaus notes.

But as already stated, design is to be seen in the Center’s entire program, and that is why we also included in the Ludwig exhibition books from Ediciones La Memoria, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. The twelve volumes of the Colección Palabras de Pabloare displayed, practically the complete works; the Memory Notebooks and art books of the Majadahonda Collection, with a larger format and beautiful designs by Villaverde and Katia Hernández.

The second exhibition is from the Sharing dreams/Compartiendo sueños project, and can be seen in one of the city’s a new spaces, Estudio 50, where 30 works by 15 designers from the United States and 15 Cubans are exhibited.Curator of the exhibition, Casaus recalled that the works “deal with the different themes that were chosen over the five years, for each edition. The general themes of life, war, love, culture, the guitar.” Each work is accompanied by a brief statement by the artist about his or her work or the subject, providing viewers more insight.

Let us recall that Sharing dreams/Compartiendo sueños was an attractive project undertaken by designers from the U.S. and Cuba to address a selected theme, between 2004-2008, sponsored by the Centro Pablo, the Cuban Pro-Gráfica Committee, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts’ Center for Cross Cultural Design.

The theme chosen for the first edition was precisely Compartiendo Sueños/Sharing Dreams; later, Dreams of Peace; Love conquers all; Design in culture; and lastly, Design in music, in which emphasis was placed on the guitar, as a tribute to the 10th anniversary of the Center’s ‘A Guitarra limpia’ project.

Thanks to this effort, 32 Cuban designers and 35 from the U.S. created 70 posters offering a wide-ranging, interesting panorama of views on the proposed themes.

Another of the Center’s characteristics that merits applause is its commitment to historical memory, the name given its publishing house. It is no surprise that a Memorias volume was prepared on Compartiendo Sueños/Sharing dreams, a compilation by Xenia Reloba documenting the entire project in a bilingual edition. The cover design is by Katia Hernández, based on the Jorge Ferret poster, Dreams of peace, for Sharing dreams 2005.

Two timely exhibitions of posters and designs for the Pablo Center’s programs and projects, to be admired as the promotion of ideas with beauty and imagination.

Cheerful and active, the young doctor, a Comprehensive General Medicine specialist, immediately answered: “I’m from Bayamo, the land of the Father of the Cuban Homeland.” Just thinking about the difference between that lively eastern Cuban city and this isolated place, surrounded by mountains and thick forests, I admired her sacrifice and dedication to what she did every day.

I discovered that she had been in Venezuela for 22 months, a year of which at this CMP in an extremely poor community, where she lived accompanied by a young man from the Into the Neighborhood Sports Mission. The two of them had the noble mission of attending inhabitants of the remote area, in which the “health house,” as some called it, was like a light in the dark.

Minutes later, she invited me to have a coffee, and we moved to the small kitchen of her home, which consisted of two bedrooms, plus the area where she cared for her patients, and the dispensary, converted into a kind of pharmacy. In the very well looked after backyard, stood a beautiful fruit tree and many flowers, in a tropical Cuban garden style.

Edenys tells me that one of the most difficult tasks she faced upon arriving was to complete a community health diagnosis, which consisted of walking for days, visiting each and every house, along inhospitable and unknown roads, where she had no idea that there were houses.

“We treat 10-15 patients daily, who come from distant places, but this is the only option they have to receive medical services. Previously they didn’t have any, and the main illnesses are still due to parasites they ingest from the water, and bad hygiene,” she explains.

“Now they at least know what measures to take to make the water more drinkable and look after themselves a little better.”

Respiratory problems are also recurrent, as well as chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, adolescent pregnancy, the doctor continued, while insisting that she must devote as much time as possible to educational talks, be it in people’s homes, or meetings organized with the support of the Communal Council, which are less frequent due to the distances between homes.

“I notice that the talks have had a great impact, especially among young people and adolescents. At first I had to take initiative, and learn a lot from their customs and ways of being, of talking, of living together, and I had to be very careful, win them over, make them feel that I am part of the family and that I just want to help them,” she stresses.

For the young collaborator, one of the most sensitive tasks she performs is the rehabilitation and care of bedridden patients, or those unable to travel to see her. Accompanied always by the Sports Mission teacher, she travels several kilometers a week to wherever she is most needed, and help injured or disabled people to recover and become reincorporated into society.

She clarifies: “This is perhaps one of the most difficult and humane actions that we carry out. Sometimes in the afternoon, after those long days, one is very tired, but we feel good due to their appreciation. A smile from one patient is enough to sleep peacefully, and wake up the next day with more energy. We can’t rest as long as there is someone who needs us.”

In Edenys’ doctor’s office/house, there is a “historical corner” with images of Cuban and Latin American heroes and martyrs. They include Che, Fidel and Chávez, as well as a beautiful poster of her home city of Bayamo. In the kitchen, she prepares a delicious congrís (rice and beans), a typical dish that can’t be lacking, although she notes that she misses her mother’s, “The best in the world.”

As an only child, she is the “little girl” back home, despite her age. This is also how some of her patients first regarded her, due to her small stature. She tells her parents a lot about what she does and experiences in these lands, especially how well she is treated by the humblest people, whose lives she helps to improve. “Well, I tell them almost everything,” she comments, smiling shyly, “It’s better that way, so as not to worry them.”

Sometimes she goes several weeks without talking to them because of telephone coverage difficulties. When she needs to buy significant supplies, she is obliged to travel long distances, as she is located 320 kilometers by road from Tucupita, the capital of Delta Amacuro.

Dr. Edenys warmly recalls the polyclinic where she worked before traveling to Venezuela. “But it is a great experience to share with other people from another culture and to learn, to strive so hard every day. Here there is great tranquility because there is such a small population near the clinic, and it is really different from Bayamo, my city, which is so lively, to which I dedicate so many thoughts, especially at night, when I am resting. But it is very rewarding to help these people, offer them a spirit of optimism,” she reiterates.

Edenys offers me some coconut water, which is very refreshing in the high temperature. As I drink it, I ask her for an anecdote that has deeply marked her during her mission: “A lady arrived at 11:00 p.m. with labor pains, with the child’s little head already poking out, and I barely had time to do anything. She gave birth to a beautiful baby almost standing at the door of my office, and we did it all by ourselves, even the Sports teacher assisted me. What a pretty baby! Just imagine, they named her after me, and I almost jumped for joy,” she says excitedly.

Moments later there is a knock at the door. A young man asks for medical assistance. Edenys takes him to her office and after a brief examination begins to take his blood pressure. I excuse myself and bid her farewell. She hugs me like someone close and thanks me for the brief visit: “It is always good to have close people, from the homeland, to talk, to feel accompanied, even for a while, wherever we are. I invite you to Bayamo on my return, where you can make yourself at home at my house, and my parents will love it. I will tell them about you.”

For the past few months, I’ve thought a lot about Edenys, what she did there, her devotion to the people of that secluded place, and her smile. “You are the true heroes,” the Five Cuban Heroes told our collaborators during their visit to Venezuela back in May 2015, and one of them, Gerardo Hernández, reiterated it when visiting Caracas recently as part of the Cuban delegation to the 18th Latin American and Caribbean Students’ Congress.

Young people like her are the protagonists of the daily endeavors of our people around the world. Meeting her reinforced in me the idea that anything is possible when it comes to saving a life, although often that can mean embracing the solitude of the forests, and the silence of the most unimaginable distances.

Referring to the national business fair held at ExpoCuba, he said, the event provided evidence that anything can be done in the country when we put our minds to it, and that, at times, we are not even aware of the products manufactured by our own enterprises.

The President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers made these comments during a detailed analysis of the main indicators available regarding progress on the 2019 Economic Plan, as of the end of April.

Presenting the report was Minister of Economy and Planning Alejandro Gil Fernández, who explained that more than 450,000 tourists had arrived in April, representing 13% growth over the same period last year, although planned levels of economic activity in this sector are not being reached.

On the other hand, he reported that of the 167 investment projects which were expected to be at least partially ready at this point, only 53 have been completed. Among the projects underway, he mentioned the Multipurpose Terminal in Santiago de Cuba; more than 19 kilometers of water networks and 13 of conduits, to improve service; the repair of 16 railroad trains that will make available to the country 1,770 tons of cargo capacity, and transportation for some 14,000 passengers.

He insisted that analyses of these issues must be increasingly rigorous, to develop real understanding of the costs the country must assume, and the impact on plans, when projected investments are not completed.

The President stated that, given the shortages of high-demand products seen in the first four months of the year, resources have been allocated for imports of food for the population and animal feed, which should allow for a greater presence of some products, like cooking oil, on store shelves.

Given tensions with the supply of chicken and sausage, a series of temporary measures have been adopted by the government, including regulated sales. Likewise, resources within the plan have been re-distributed to support greater production and imports of food, medications, and other essential items.

Iris Quiñones Rojas, minister of Food Industry, noted that basic supplies are available for food processors, including bakeries, as well as for special summer commercial plans.

We have conducted a detailed analysis of the principle challenges to meeting the Plan, Díaz-Canel said, and now follow-up attention must be provided, and information made available to the population regarding prospects for an improved situation in terms of supplies and production.

He stated that the non-state sector must also be included in analyses of the Plan, so we understand and can evaluate its contribution and relationship to the state sector, among other elements.

URBAN PLAN FOR VIÑALES

During the meeting, the Council of Ministers approved the General Urban Plan for the town of Viñales, located in the province of Pinar del Río, presented by Samuel Rodiles Planas, president of the Institute of Physical Planning.

It is a model of urban planning that prioritizes the recuperation, conservation, and promotion of the values ​​of this unique site, recognized as a National Monument since 1979 and declared a Cultural Landscape of Humanity in 1999.

Given the town’s potential, the urban plan guarantees orderly development from the functional, structural, morphological, and environmental points of view; responding to the needs of the population through adequate zoning to establish appropriate use of the town’s distinguishing tangible and intangible natural and cultural features; and which is consistent with a commitment to protection and conservation of heritage.

Presidente Díaz-Canel described the plan as a good one, recalling comments made by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, when he referred to the importance of ensuring that the unique natural attractions of Viñales not be destroyed, to which the implementation of this plan will surely contribute.

BIOCUBAFARMA: ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S FLAGSHIP INDUSTRIES

Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, presented a report on foreign investment, the use of external credits, and exports by the Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Industries Enterprise Group (BioCubaFarma), a priority for the country’s development, and in which significant progress is needed, as regards these issues.

He emphasized that this is an industry with great social impact, in sectors such as public health, agriculture, and tourism, in which steps are being taken to enhance the participation of foreign capital as a means to promote development.

As a result of actions carried out, he stated, the joint venture Innovative Immunotherapy Alliance was established in the Mariel Special Development Zone, focused on research, development, and distribution of innovative Cuban medicines for the benefit of cancer patients. Other projects have also been identified to develop with foreign capital, which are in different stages of negotiation and identification of potential partners.

He pointed out that measures taken by the U.S. government, to tighten the economic, commercial and financial blockade, complicate the acquisition of external financing, which affects our ability to meet internal and external demand for BioCubaFarma products and services, in a timely fashion, and with the required quality.

Malmierca recalled that, in December of 2018, the Comprehensive Strategy for the Export of Goods and Services was approved, in which the main lines of BioCubaFarma’s work were defined, including the preparation of a financial strategy to ensure access to resources to obtain raw materials on time, in the amounts required; the promotion of investments in the industry with preference given the Mariel Special Development Zone; and increasing investment and new products, among other tasks.

The sector was recognized as exemplary in the use of human capital as a means to create innovative products and services that generate income, attract know-how and capital, without selling the country. In addition, the importance of generating productive chains and promoting the development of other activities was emphasized.

Eduardo Martínez Díaz, president of BioCubaFarma, explained that in recent years exports have increased, while a greater effort is being made to diversify markets. He also explained that one of the strengths that currently distinguishes the sector, and that can support increased exports, lies in devloping innovative products, unique worldwide, that can solve problems associated with the main causes of death such as cancer and cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases.

The President of the Councils of State and Ministers praised the contribution of BioCubaFarma to increasing the country’s exports, now called upon to diversify its markets and products.

WHEN INTERNAL ACCOUNTING FAILS

Gladys Bejerano Portela, Comptroller General of the Republic, reported two events with apparently criminal characteristics. The first, she said, was related to the payment of wage bonuses to managers and workers without productive backing, with fraudulent certification issued that did not reflect the company’s actual results.

In this regard, the Comptroller General drew attention to the need to constantly review the legitimacy and accuracy of accounting operations, especially in enterprises that surpass plans by unexpected, wide margins, as well as those which do not meet projections.

A second incident, she noted, was related to ethical behavior, with evidence revealed that a property owned by a state enterprise was occupied as a dwelling, with no formal change of use recorded or required documentation completed, indicating misappropriation of state resources or assets.

She emphasized that both events reveal weaknesses in the functioning of collegiate management and advisory bodies, which can lead to the adoption of decisions that exceed the authority of a given position.

The Comptroller insisted that we must learn from these experiences, while stressing the importance of strengthening internal accounting systems, discipline, and the planning of work, while sharpening cadres’ management skills to avoid administrative corruption.

CUBAN GEOSPATIAL APPLICATIONS

A summary of the scientific and technological potential of GeoCuba to generate geospatial information, and develop related computer platforms, was presented by the general director of the enterprise group, Eladio Fernández Cívico.

Several projects have been successfully completed by the 12 companies in the group, related to areas as diverse as geodetic and spatial remote sensing, aero-cartographic surveys, modeling of surfaces in 3D technology, and marine studies.

On the basis of remote sensing technologies, services have been developed, such as aerial monitoring of disasters and technical networks; surveys of road conditions and defects in works; and documentation, he reported.

Among the projects that have been developed jointly with the most diverse sectors and organizations, noted as outstanding was the Information System of the National Property Register (Siscat), which allows for the management of data and descriptions of urban and rural real estate.

The Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, Elba Rosa Pérez Montoya, noted that the GeoCuba Group exemplifies progress being made in closing the research cycle without neglecting the training of human resources, demonstrating a very fluid relationship with universities.

On this subject, President Díaz-Canel highlighted the value of GeoCuba’s computer platforms, which can be applied in different scenarios by ministries, institutions, and enterprises, contributing significantly to the computerization of Cuban society.

(Information from www.presidencia.gob.cu)

Dr. Carlos Díaz Mayo emphasized that the possibility of extirpating tissues around the esophagus using this technique guarantees the quality and prognosis of the surgery, by reducing the possibilities of cancer cell propagation.

Esophageal cancer is a rare condition, representing around 3% of all types of cancer, noted INOR Director Luis Curbelo Alfonso, but it is extremely difficult to treat.

Dr. Curbelo highlighted that minimal access surgery has been consolidated in the last four years at INOR, where 15 – 18% of the country’s cancer patients are treated. Today, this technique is used with one in three patients, and although the procedure is not applicable to all types of cancer, the goal is that all those that can be treated with this method are, and the expertise of our professionals and necessary resources made available, he stressed.

“Minimal access surgery requires advanced technology and expensive materials, but its expansion is a priority for the Cuban health system,” concluded Curbelo Alfonso.

With the presence of Roberto Morales Ojeda, Political Bureau member and a Councils of State and Ministers vice president, leaders of the Party, the Federation of Cuban Workers, and representatives of various economic sectors, Díaz-Canel reiterated the importance of addressing the results achieved in 2018 by the Cuban Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Industry Group, BioCubaFarma, a central organization of enterprise management.

The President recalled that this is a strategic sector within the National Plan of Economic and Social Development through 2030, to which we have a special personal commitment, he said, to Fidel, the most convinced founder of this institution, and Raúl, a consistent promoter of Cuban science.

The country, he noted, is facing an extremely complex moment, within the context of increasing hostile rhetoric from the United Sates directed toward Latin America and Caribbean. The threats and interference in important revolutionary processes in the region have expanded, as have media campaigns of false lies and accusations that seek to discredit the Cuban Revolution before the world, to support imperialism’s ambitions to destroy us.

Such events are not removed from many elements that had an impact last year on important productive indicators of BioCubaFarma’s development, the President stated.

As relevant aspects which must be addressed, he emphasized income from exports and instability in the pharmaceutical industry’s deliveries to the Public Health system, leading to numerous shortages and limited availability of basic drugs in the country’s network of pharmacies.

BioCubaFarma CEO Dr. Eduardo Martínez stated in his 2018 the balance report that the Enterprise Group reached commercial production of 1,901 MM CUP. While this represents only 94% of the projected amount, production was increased by 111 MM CUP, as compared to the previous year.

Such an increase in the level of production allowed a decrease of approximately 40% in shortfalls of medications compared to the last two years. However, a number of drugs were affected at various times during the year and this had an adverse impact on the population.

“This is a situation that is going to become more complex in 2019 and it is important that both the population and sector workers be informed, because it has to do with very severe sanctions that have been levied on sister countries with which we have cooperation agreements. Added to this is resurging financial persecution of Cuba and the economic blockade, which has prevented financing from flowing regularly,” the President said.

“We have depended on government agreements and this element is limiting our management methods, which we must change to include other perspectives that allow us to maintain this institution’s progress and growth,” the President reflected.

It is not fortuitous, given this scenario, that the country’s leadership, and in particular First Party Secretary Raúl Castro, has raised two priorities to the same level: defense of the nation and economic development, given the close relationship they share, Diaz-Canel noted.

Seeking more efficient government and enterprise management brings into focus the fundamental role that the socialist state enterprise in Cuba must play. In the opinion of the President of the Councils of State and Ministers, efficiency means work systems that articulate priorities, create adequate spaces for debate and participation, allow continuous monitoring of processes so that problems do not accumulate, propitiate proactive styles of work, with fewer obstacles and bureaucracy, and maintaining a close link with the basic productive level.

According to Díaz-Canel, “The efficient management to which we aspire has as an essential component: cadres, who, in the first place, must be sensitive to the problems of the people.”

He referred to the revolutionary discontent that should lead us to respond, advance, and solve problems, without forgetting attention to detail.

Another element noted during the discussion was training of the skilled workforce and the exodus of personnel. Regarding this issue, Díaz-Canel insisted on the importance of prioritizing work with youth, saying, “Many times, this exodus is affected by the salary problems we have, and this continues to be an underlying reason, but it is only a part of it. Today, although we don’t pay what people deserve, given the contribution they make – not because we don’t want to, but because of financing, we can’t assume that – this is one of the institutions in the country’s enterprise system with the highest average salary,” he noted.

We must ask ourselves how we pay attention to youth, how we can create conditions for their development, in which what everyone wishes to contribute is respected. In the future, we will pay more, he said, but if we don’t deal with this problem, the exodus will continue.

On another issue, he called attention to the importance of using tools like social communication focused on the internal audience, so the workforce knows the institution’s strategies; and computerization, both in the productive process, and via platforms that reach the population, so they can offer opinions, suggest, express concerns, and get answers.

The Cuban leader emphasized the importance to scientific research of maintaining ties with universities and sharing new technology being installed, making scientific poles teaching institutions. Likewise, he insisted that advantage must be taken of the existence of shorter technical university study programs, to meet the need for skilled workers.

As a strength, Díaz-Canel noted that today the country has approved all the policies proposed in the Guidelines relating to scientific-technical issues, the environment, innovation, high-tech companies, technological parks, and the university-enterprise connection, saying, “Now what remains is implementing them and taking advantage of the new opportunities they give us.”

Reinforcing negotiating teams, and adjusting them to the times, is imperative, he said, since our research will face more demanding regulations and be politicized. In this context, he called for advancing productive chains with direct foreign investment projects, not only with investments and joint ventures within the country, but abroad, as well.

“We must export more and collect payment for what we export,” he said. At the end of 2018, we had a balance of unpaid exports of a considerable amount, at a time when the country needs money. BioCubaFarma was one of the companies most involved. Since October, with a strict tracking system, we have recovered a significant amount. Import less, substitute imports, manage financing better, take advantage of innovation funds, and invest carefully with security and confidence in feasibility studies, are urgent needs to be addressed. Defending national production, including natural products, is also a demand of the country, the President reiterated.

Considering all of BioCubaFarma’s daily work and dedication, all the contributions and new products created by the institution’s scientists, Díaz-Canel said makes him proud to be Cuban, adding, “You are the pride of the Revolution.”

During the review it was learned that in 2018, 35 pharmaceutical registrations were obtained abroad, thus reaching a total of 740, which constitutes an important support to increase exports. Also noteworthy were negotiations in more than 50 countries, and talks with more than 70 new pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, for the signing of contracts, outstanding among which was the culmination of negotiations with the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in New York, which will lead to the creation of a Cuba-U.S. joint venture in the Mariel Special Development Zone.

Although projections were not met, the investment plan reached the highest level in the last ten years, with an increase of 33% over the previous year, with special mention for advances in the CIGB-Mariel biotechnology industrial complex, and the completion of several investments projects that began operations. In research and development activity, positive results were achieved. Twenty-three new products were introduced and eight new patent requests were presented to the Cuban Office of Industrial Property, and 116 patents were granted internationally.

The existence of overstaffed bodies, increased expenses, too many meetings and procedures, and excessively centralized operations and approval processes are among the deficiencies that persist in the Enterprise Management Central Organizations (OSDE), explained Murillo, head of the Policy Implementation and Development Commission, during a recent meeting with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermúdez and government leaders.

In this regard, considering that the role of local government boards with less positive results is limited to approving OSDE strategic development plans, the President insisted on the importance of dedicating time to this work, “Otherwise we are stuck in time,” calling for longer-term analysis, to plan investments, new products, and services.

Díaz-Canel reaffirmed that the socialist state enterprise is the key link in Cuba’s economic model, and must be turned around and strengthened.

Government boards were created to supervise the state enterprise system in their locality, and play a decisive role in representing the country’s interests. Murillo reviewed their performance in fulfilling this function, focused on analysis and approval of distribution plans for earnings, as well as compliance with directives and the results of management activity.

In terms of improvement efforts, which began in 2011 and continue, it was reported that several policies are being studied or approved providing for the extension of enterprise authority; the creation of high-tech companies, science-technology parks, and links with universities; as well as the development of companies to produce applications and provide computer services.

IN THE NEW CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 27. The socialist state enterprise is the main actor within the national economy. It has autonomy in its administration and management; plays a leading role in the production of goods and services, and fulfills its social responsibilities. The principles of organization and operation of the socialist state enterprise are regulated by law.