On June 13, HHS www.hhs.gov signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health establishing coordination across a broad spectrum of public health issues, on topics such as global health security, communicable and non-communicable diseases, research and development, and information technology.
The U.S and Cuba share an interest in detecting and responding to emerging infectious diseases such as dengue and chikungunya which are serious mosquito-borne viral diseases. Both countries also have an aging population which necessitates an increased focus on responding to neurodegenerative and non-communicable diseases, including cancer.
In February, the Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba (MEDICC) http://medicc.org a California based organization, released a White paper. The study outlines the actions needed to eliminate barriers to the U.S regulatory process for Cuban-biotech and other innovations. The document also addresses removing obstacles to joint ventures between the two countries pertaining to health and medical research.
HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said, “Cuba has made significant contributions to health and science, as evidenced by their contribution to the Ebola response in West Africa. They were also the first country to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission.”