Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to assess the Cuban AIDS polidy model and its possible application to other developing countries through epidemiological analyses.
Method The author conducted a field study in Cuba from March 23 to 31, 2001, and reviewed related articles.
Results (1) The National Referral Center of Cuba, the Pedro Couri Institute, detected 3,230 HIV positive patients between 1986 and January 2001. Among them, 2,500 were male and 730 were female.
(2) 45 institutions are responsible for the preliminary screening and the Pedro Couri Institute finalizes the diagnosis.
(3) Diagnosed patients are admitted to a sanatorium for AIDS patients or a day care hospital free of charge.
(4) The Ministry of Health in Cuba set up a national committee on AIDS in 1983, and had screened eight million people by June 1990, all provinces in Cuba started building AIDS sanatoriums. From 1993, day care hospitals started treating patients.
Conclusions Cuba has succeeded in controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Its success relies on the exising health care system and intervention at early stages. Due to the debates on the sanatorium policy and the screening of pregnant mothers, direct application of the cuban model to other countries requires careful consideration at this stage.
