Officials from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Cuba have provided educational materials to the Pedro del Toro Saad health area in Holguín. This effort is part of the ECHO SYPHILIS project, which aims to curb the spread of syphilis among pregnant women, adolescents, and newborns across five provinces in the nation.
This donation is a segment of PAHO's broader agenda in the eastern province, which also included handing over fumigation equipment to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
Financed by an approximately two-million-euro grant from the European Union, the project is executed in collaboration with UN agencies such as the United Nations Population Fund (Unfpa) and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), as reported by the official newspaper ¡Ahora! on Friday.
Targeted Provinces and Project Initiatives
Holguín was selected alongside Havana, Matanzas, Guantánamo, and Santiago de Cuba, encompassing eleven municipalities prioritized due to their high rates of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Launched in the province on June 30, the project's main initiative is the implementation of dual rapid blood tests to simultaneously detect HIV and syphilis from the expectant mother's initial contact with the healthcare system, according to sources.
Preventive Measures and Treatment
"The project integrates preventive measures targeting adolescents with enhanced detection and timely treatment of syphilis and other STIs during pregnancy," explained Dr. Susana Borroto Gutiérrez, an epidemiologist and PAHO consultant on communicable diseases in Cuba.
When a pregnant woman tests positive, she and her sexual partner receive immediate penicillin treatment, effectively breaking the transmission chain and preventing severe consequences for the newborn, such as congenital deformities or pregnancy loss.
Dr. Borroto emphasized, "The most significant impact of this project thus far is the dual syphilis and HIV tests, which allow for rapid diagnosis. A simple finger prick provides an instant blood sample diagnosis."
The project also includes procuring supplies for desensitization in cases where expectant mothers are allergic to penicillin and aims to lower teenage pregnancy rates through sexual and reproductive education initiatives.
Challenges and Achievements
Official data reveals that in 2024, 16.76% of births in Cuba were to mothers under 20 years old, with 64.5% of these pregnancies involving adult men, a situation international bodies deem a form of gender violence.
The health scenario surrounding the project is paradoxical. In 2015, the Caribbean nation was the first globally to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, an achievement recertified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in May. However, maintaining this certification is challenged by severe structural issues.
Chronic shortages of condoms, reagents, and medicines threaten the progress made. In June 2025, health authorities in Pinar del Río warned of a resurgence in syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV, with over half the cases concentrated in the provincial capital.
FAQs on Syphilis Prevention and Treatment in Cuba
What is the ECHO SYPHILIS project?
The ECHO SYPHILIS project is an initiative aimed at reducing the spread of syphilis among pregnant women, adolescents, and newborns in five Cuban provinces through education, rapid testing, and immediate treatment.
How does the project help prevent syphilis transmission?
The project offers dual rapid tests for early detection of HIV and syphilis and provides immediate treatment for positive cases to prevent transmission and severe outcomes.
Why is Holguín a focus area for the project?
Holguín, along with other provinces, was chosen due to its high rates of teenage pregnancies and STIs, making it a priority area for intervention and prevention efforts.