Valdes-Sosa, in a statement to the ANI news agency, underscored Havana’s interest in expanding collaboration with India in biotechnology, vaccine development, and neuroscience research.

The Cuban neuroscientist added that his nation faces significant challenges due to the US economic, commercial, and financial blockade, including difficulties importing critical supplies and maintaining public healthcare services.

He stated that Cuba is in a very complex situation due to repeated and prolonged power outages and difficulties in reaching foreign currency to import materials for the healthcare system.

Valdes-Sosa added that unilateral US measures have led to a deterioration in some of Cuba’s healthcare indicators, such as the infant mortality rate, which increased from around 5.5 per 1,000 live births to almost a rate of 10 last year.

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