NEW DELHI: Despite having one of the world’s best health-care infrastructure, Cuba wants to introduce Ayurveda in the country’s medical system to “prevent” diseases.
“Our former president Fidel Castro loves alternative medicine. In Cuba, the most important thing is the people, not money,” said Natalia Marzoa Silva, a biologist at the state-owned Finlay Institute in capital Havana.
At the 6th World Ayurveda Congress held here, Silva was present as a representative from the Central American nation’s medical community to begin a dialogue with the government and other agencies over the issue.
“In Cuba, we have all the tools for treating diseases, but we have to improve the preventive system further,” Silva said.
“We want to introduce Ayurveda in our country to prevent diseases,” Silva, a speaker at the inaugural ceremony of the World Ayurveda Congress, said.
According to Silva, Cuba is facing the threat of a high ratio of diseases and fatalities from cancer and diabetes, with cancer alone forming a whopping 70 per cent of all medical fatalities.
“India can teach us about medicinal plants to fight such diseases. We have the same plants in Cuba, but we don’t know how to use them,” she said, adding, a bilateral collaboration could create an understanding of the use of medicinal plants.
“We have to learn how to process the herbs. We need the assistance of India for that,” she added.
Cuba has a high life expectancy of 76 and is a leading nation in health care and medical education. It recently sent a team of doctors to Africa to fight Ebola.
“The government ensures the right to life of every citizen. Medical care is free (in Cuba).”
Silva who was invited to the World Ayurveda Congress by the Ayush department of the Union Health Ministry, said her country was keen to promote collaboration to introduce Ayurveda in Cuba.
“I have been assured by the Ayush department that India has all the intention to send Ayurveda specialists to Cuba to teach students in the graduate and post-graduate medical courses,” she said. -PTI
