AMECA Congress in Havana comes to a successful close

Transportation of tourists and health care aboard aircraft were the closing topics of the Eighth Congress of the Caribbean Medical Association (AMECA) held in Havana with a turnout of approximately 200 reps from the Caribbean Basin.

Experts from Cuba’s Civil Aviation Institute and several physicians lectured on the new experience aboard commercial planes, and specially aimed at elderly travelers, that’s coming up in July.

The scientific event also included the appraisal of Cuba’s breakthroughs in floral therapy, natural and traditional medicine, as well as dental care, environmental recognition and its impact on tourism.

In the same breath, a project on thalassotherapy (the therapeutic use of sea swims and sun baths) was introduced and praised as an innovative service aimed at raising living standards and fostering the use of natural products.

Cuba has in store the opening of one such center on Cayo Coco (Ciego de Avila), the first ever on the island nation and in the Americas, announced Dr. Jorge Hadad, president of Cubanacan Tourism & Health Agency.

The remarkable development of tourism all across the island -a sector expected to draw in roughly 2 million visitors from around the world this year- also stands for a magnificent challenge to Cuba’s health care system.

Dr. Hadad underscored the importance of assuring tourists a risk-free and healthy environment that allows them to have a wonderful time on the Cuban archipelago.

He equally referred to the high demand for Cuba’s international medical services and latest treatments of such diseases as pigmentary retinosis, vitiligo, psoriasis, hair loss, neurological rehab and some orthopedic techniques.

This NGO is currently a UN consulting entity and a social tool of the Association of Caribbean States that’s made up of more than 6,000 members.