At a time when the complexity of a pandemic is putting to the test the human and professional capacity of a collective that has played a leading role in Cuba’s battle against COVID-19, when every day of work requires extraordinary effort, the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) has been awarded the Excellence in Public Health distinction from the World Federation of Health Associations.
The distinction goes beyond one institution, according to Dr. Manuel Romero Placeres, IPK director, who added that also recognized were, “the impact of the National Public Health System on indicators in Cuba; the political will of a government that thinks about how to offer the people quality care with the best technology; and the significant scientific accomplishments achieved by a country small in size, but huge in ideas.”
He stated that the award is encouraging, providing more motivation to renew the commitment to make a reality of the ideas of the institution’s founders, especially Fidel, further developing scientific research and innovations that prevent and contain infectious diseases.
Regarding COVID-19, the great challenge the IPK is currently facing, Placeres noted that the staff is providing both emergency medical assistance and accelerating investigations to better understand the dangerous illness. He expressed confidence that diagnoses and specialized care will continue to improve as scientific-technical research findings are applied throughout the country’s public health system.
