CUBA : LIFE EXPECTANCY SOON TO BE 80 YEARS

BY NAVIL GARCIA ALFONSO-Granma International staff writer-

AGING with health is the maxim of the 4th International Conference on Satisfactory Longevity: an Integral Vision, which took place in Cuba’s Hotel Nacional, sponsored by the Caribbean Medical Association and the 120 Years Club.

Doctor Eugenio Selman-Houssein Abdo highlighted the conditions developed in Cuba to maintain good quality of life conditions, including nutrition, health, physical activity, culture, motivation and the environment.

"Cuba guarantees education and healthcare free of charge; full access to sports and culture; it promotes healthy eating and keeps elderly people motivated through their association with senior citizen centers," Selman noted. "We also have a high-quality health infrastructure that includes 430 multi-disciplinary teams for gerontology services and a pharmaceutical industry that produces 80% of the medications used in the country."

That combination of factors will soon make it possible for life expectancy in Cuba, currently at 77 years, to reach 80 years, according to Doctor Alberto Fernández Seco, director of the National Program for Attention to Older Adults.

However, noted Fernández Seco, the aging of the population increases the risks for disabilities and illnesses that come with it, which requires specialized medical services for long-term patient care.

Several seniors who are considered stars of Cuban sport shared their experiences and the importance of physical exercise for staying healthy.

They included boxer Orlando Martínez, the first Olympic gold medalist of the Revolution’s sports programs, and baseball players Máximo García and Pedro Almenares, who left professional baseball to join the Revolution’s sports movement.

José Ramón Fernández, president of the Cuban Olympic Committee, noted that one main goal is for older athletes to stay active, so that they can help develop the nation’s sports with their valuable experience. Likewise, he highlighted the importance of exercise as a guarantee for reaching 120 years with a life that is pleasant, lucid and useful.

For more information: redac2@granmai.cip.cu