Cuba Salud 2025 Opens, Focuses on Universal Healthcare

President Miguel Díaz-Canel inaugurated the 5th International Convention Cuba Salud 2025 in Havana today, bringing together 5,000 delegates from around 88 countries to address universal healthcare coverage.

Organizers dedicated the event to Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, recognized as the key strategist behind Cuba's healthcare system.

Featuring twenty ministers of health from across the globe, Cuba Salud 2025 kicked off with a keynote address by Cuban Minister of Public Health José Ángel Portal, entitled "Cuba and the One Health Paradigm: Science and Human Commitment in the Face of Global Challenges.”

The event, themed "Universal Health Strategies, Based on the One Health Approach, for Sustainable Development," also incorporates the 2nd Medical Tourism and Wellness Fair at the Havana Convention Center and Pabexpo fairgrounds.

Nearly 400 scientific events are scheduled, including over 200 lectures, panels, and symposia, providing a platform to discuss current and future challenges to health, both within Cuba and internationally.

The inaugural Cuba-China Science and Innovation Symposium will explore areas of biotechnology and will feature contributions from presidents of leading Chinese medical universities.

Díaz-Canel and Esteban Lazo, President of Cuba’s National Assembly, began the proceedings by opening an exhibition on the National Health System. The 14 booths highlight Cuba’s health indicators and recent achievements, despite facing significant headwinds in the sector.

A highlight of the conference will be the first National One Health Congress, designed to integrate all sectors of Cuban society – from agriculture and education to energy and water resources – into a unified health strategy.

Running alongside Cuba Salud 2025 is the 16th "Health for All" Fair at Pabexpo, considered the most important trade fair for the Cuban health sector. The fair, open from the 21st to the 24th, aims to foster trade and exchange knowledge. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero attended the opening.

Marrero toured the exhibition halls, visiting more than 100 stands representing nearly 220 companies at Pabexpo.

Cuban Vice Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez underscored the event's focus on science and innovation as drivers of improved healthcare.

He emphasized the importance of China’s participation as the guest of honor, anticipating significant benefits for the Cuban health system as a result of the exchanges.