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Cuba is the first country in the world to demonstrate that mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be eliminated. In San Antonio de los Baños, the health strategy has HIV-AIDS patients within the programs prioritized for primary health care. To this end, preventive actions are undertaken to prevent the spread of the disease.
The National Program for Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV / AIDS, is inserted in the daily work of the family doctor, says Yadira Machado Díaz, specialist of Comprehensive General Medicine in San Antonio de los Baños. She adds that today the great challenge is the timely diagnosis, with the purpose of eradicating this epidemic by 2030.
The specialist specifies that from the characterization of the population, they insist on prevention. Therefore, investigations are conducted in different population groups, with priority being given to high-risk groups. In addition, educational talks are held to get people tested, with the aim of increasing the population's perception of risk and promoting the use of condoms and antiretroviral treatment.
Prenatal care and serological testing for Syphilis and HIV, for both pregnant women and their partners, are guaranteed; in addition to active surveillance, monitoring and control of every pregnant women with positive HIV or syphilis serology, as well as timely and free antiretroviral treatment for her and her child when born infected.
The doctor points out that in the territory the number of patients increases, so it is insisted that they know their serological status and have access to treatments to maintain a minimal viral load. With the aim of educating the population in the territory, rapid tests for the detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are also carried out, as well as health talks with the groups at high risk in the Peoples' Councils, together with the mass organizations and the Municipal Direction of Education, Culture and Sport.
