Jakarta, June 20- Within the framework of the First Technical Meeting between Cuban and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) health experts, held virtually, both parties exchanged information and experiences about the protocols implemented for the containment and prevention of COVID-19, as well as the potential for future cooperation.
This first exchange, as part of the joint work initiated after the accession of the Greater Antilles to the ASEAN´s Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, featured presentations by renowned experts from the Asian bloc, BIOCUBAFARMA, Center for Genetic Engineering-Biotechnology and the Cuban Ministry of Public Health.
The inaugural speech, by ASEAN, was delivered by the Director of International Relations of the Ministry of Health of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Representative of the President of the ASEAN Committee for Health Development, Dr. Sufafón Sadettán, who referred to the effects caused by the covid-19 in the area, the importance of exchanging information with Cuba, considering that it will contribute to future cooperation with the bloc, in line with the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda, aimed at providing regional care and adequately respond to emerging threats.
On the Cuban side, the opening remarks were given by the Director of Asia and Oceania of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Alberto Blanco Silva, who expressed that the island is proud to be the first Caribbean nation to adhere to the Treaty of Friendship and ASEAN Cooperation, with which it shares values, maintains agreements on positions and cooperates in international organizations. He also expressed the hope that this meeting will provide the opportunity to exchange useful information, experiences and best practices to cooperate with the regional bloc, especially in sectors such as health, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
During the presentation segment, the Deputy Director and Head of the Health Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Ferdinal Fernando, referred to the actions undertaken by the Asian group in the face of COVID-19, the current incidence of the virus in Southeast Asia and the potential for future cooperation with Cuba in the Control of COVID-19.
On the Cuban side, the first presentation were given by Dr. Ileana Morales, Head of the Research and Innovation Division of the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, who presented the experience of the island facing the Covid-19 Pandemic.
For the "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine, Dr. Pedro Más Bermejo, Head of the National COVID-19 Technical Group and Researcher of the aforementioned Institute, presented the strategy of Cuba's response to the Pandemic, based on the universal nature of the health system and its strong primary care network. He highlighted the actions carried out to carry out door-to-door detection tests throughout the country, the isolation of confirmed cases and the tracking of suspects, which allowed the island's performance in the face of the epidemic to be one of the most successful, in terms of flattening the curve and limiting viral transmission in a relatively short time.
For the BioCubaFarma Business Group, Dr. Rolando Pérez, Head of the Research and Innovation Division, presented the portfolio of products destined for the Public Health System, including those that were used for the therapeutic treatment against Covid-19; the joint clinical development of innovative anti-inflammatory drugs; the production of Cuban covid vaccines; the impact of the Cuban immunization program, the international collaboration network as a source of innovation to shorten deadlines and the technology transfer carried out, as part of South-South cooperation. He also highlighted the permanent accompaniment of the National Regulatory Authority and the issuance of special regulations for the health emergency situation, which contributed decisively to the success of the vaccination program, including the pediatric population. He highlighted the effective communication strategy, which stimulated the proactive participation of the population and the establishment of a booster vaccination strategy with its own vaccines, which will contribute to technological sovereignty to improve resilience in the face of future health emergencies. Likewise, he conveyed BioCubaFarma's willingness to promote strategic alliances with ASEAN biopharmaceutical industries.
For the Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), the Head of Biomedical Research, Dr. Gerardo Guillén, spoke about the development of innovative CIGB products used in the COVID-19 protocol, such as "Jusvinza" for the treatment of respiratory difficulties, the "Abdala" Covid vaccine, approved for emergency use and already used in Cuba, both in its adult population and in children over 2 years of age with an efficacy of 92.28%. Likewise, he presented the prophylactic administration of Nasalferon, as a nasal formulation of alpha interferon, successfully used in Cuba for high-risk medical personnel exposed to the virus and vulnerable people. Dr. Guillén also presented HEBERPROT-P, a Cuban product, and unique worldwide, for the treatment of patients with diabetic foot ulcers in advanced stages and high risk of amputation, with a patent already registered in the United States, Indonesia, Union Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Russia, China, India, Ukraine, Mexico, Malaysia and Cuba; the therapeutic vaccine against chronic Hepatitis B: HeberNasvac; the clinical trial against rheumatoid arthritis, the Cuban project for a prophylactic vaccine against the four serotypes of the dengue virus, as well as the vaccine candidate against covid for nasal administration, "Mambisa", capable of inducing an immune response, both at the level of mucosal and systemic.
For the closing remarks, the Principal Consultant of the Department of Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Singapore and Chairman of ASEAN Health Group II, Dr. Jeffery Lawrence Cutter, on behalf of the member states of ASEAN, thanked the sustained exchange, while referring to being all impressed by the high level of knowledge and skills of the Cuban scientists and the technology of the facilities in Cuba. Also expressed his confidence that the effectiveness of the various Cuban pharmaceutical products shown in clinical trials and published in medical publications will surely draw the attention of ASEAN health authorities. Likewise, he stated that during this exchange the potential for the expansion and consolidation of future cooperation projects between the Greater Antilles and the block of ten nations of Southeast Asia, in the sectors of health, pharmacy and biotechnology, was evidenced.
The virtual meeting was moderated by the Cuban ambassador to Indonesia, Tania Velazquez López, who reaffirmed the priority that her country gives to the historic relations and cooperation with the member states of the ASEAN bloc, the new opportunities offered by this first meeting between experts and the commitment to support the actions that are derived to achieve collaboration projects in the areas of health, pharmacy and biotechnology.
Embassy of Cuba in Indonesia.