LavenderRed_Cubabook

Dealing with Aids Crisis
Cuba mobilized before
first diagnosis
The Reagan administration tried to whip up world anger at Cuba’s handling of
the AIDS epidemic. In reality, Cuba took an immediate, scientific and humane
approach to people with AIDS.
In the U.S., AIDS was first diagnosed in 1981. By May 2, 1983, simultaneous gay
and lesbian protests of tens of thousands had to take to the streets in New York City,
San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, At lanta, Chicago and Milwaukee under banners
reading “Fighting for our lives!” to demand federal funds to battle AIDS, and for research,
services and Social Security benefits.
A day later, activists organized a telephone blitz of the White House to protest government
inaction and to demand funds. It was the largest number of calls to the Oval
Office in a single day in its history. The president had still not publicly said the word
AIDS, while theo-cons demonized the emerging health crisis as a “gay plague.”
By contrast, Cuba’s health care workers began preparations to defend the whole population
from the AIDS epidemic two years before the first case was diagnosed on the
island in 1985. Cuba spared no expense despite the chokehold of the U.S.-led blockade.
Cuba—unlike the U.S.—mobilized against AIDS, not against people with AIDS.
Arguelles and Rich observed in the autumn of 1987 that, “Cuba is unusual in publicizing
the disease, not as a gay disease, but rather as a sexually transmitted disease regardless of
specific sexual practice.”
Planning to protect population
After members of the Cuban Health Ministry took part in a workshop organized
by the Pan-American Health Organization in August 1983, they immediately set
up a national commission to research and create a plan of action to prevent AIDS in
Cuba. (Wald)
The commission immediately blocked the import of all blood products from countries
in which the epidemic was already documented. The commission recommended
discarding more than 20,000 vials of imported blood, worth millions of dollars.
Getting rid of all imported blood products greatly burdened the Cuban health system
and forced the country to ratchet up local production. However, this urgent action resulted
in avoiding HIV transmission to almost all hemophiliacs and others who needed
blood transfusions. (Cookson)
Cuba mobilized before first diagnosis 45