Strengthening the Maternal and Infant Care Program (PAMI in Spanish) through an inter-sectoral approach and taking into account the indicators and limitations that need to be influenced to achieve better results in the territory, was one of the issues that brought together the analysis of the PCC Provincial Bureau in Las Tunas.

In the subsequent debate on the causes that raised the infant mortality rate to 7.4 per thousand live births, the incidence of low birth weight was highlighted as a conditioning factor that directly influences the development of the mother-baby binomial and that tarnishes the achievements reached in the remaining health indicators that are also prioritized by PAMI at the national level.

The low occupational rate of maternal homes in each municipality was one of the most recurrent concerns. Marbelis Mir Corrales, a member of the health bureau, emphasized that the conditions guaranteed by these institutions, whose objective is to look after the individuality of each pregnant woman through personalized, quality care, are not being taken advantage of.

The leader added that despite the intention to prioritize the infrastructure conditions of maternity homes, to manage trained and competent personnel, and to ensure adequate nutrition, many of these institutions do not even reach 50 percent coverage.

In this respect, the consensus was to seek strategies that involve the family and community factors more, as well as to reverse the shortcomings that persist in some of these centers, both in terms of objectives and resources, to have an effective impact on the figures for low birth weight and other pathologies.

In the panorama of limitations that in many ways have an impact on PAMI, it was reported that around 200 pregnant women and infants live on dirt floors and a small number of babies do not have cots.

In this regard, Jaime Chiang Vega, governor of Las Tunas, was forceful in asserting that the resources exist in the territory to provide solutions to these problems and assured that there has been a lack of priority in the allocation of resources.

At the same time, the governor urged to review and strengthen the implementation of the intersectoral strategy and to combine more factors to create better living conditions that translate into well-being.

He also emphasized that it is up to the health sector to be at the forefront and to ensure the proper functioning of primary care, the stability of the medical offices, the approach to pre-conception risk and to promote more effective work in the communities, by the needs and characteristics of the Las Tunas population.

Yadira Romero Peña, head of the economic and productive sphere in the PCC Provincial Bureau, called for a more integrated approach in the fight against teenage pregnancy, a phenomenon in which the municipality of Majibacoa stands out negatively, with high rates in rural areas.

Romero Peña warned that the current reality is showing that the scourge is occurring even in childhood and that urgent intervention is needed with all the factors involved. He emphasized that it is up to education to act in a more personalized way and on the most vulnerable groups.

Dr. Osmara Borrego, head of PAMI in the province, explained that Las Tunas is the fourth province with the highest rate of teenage pregnancy so in 2023, 12.6 percent of births were to teenage mothers.

We have a very negative participation of adolescent pregnancy in the Mother and Child Program," she said. During 2023, 19 percent of the low birth weights identified were from adolescent mothers, as well as 20 percent of the preterm and 17 percent of the genetic morbidities came from this age group. It was painful to see two 'girls' in intensive care at the same time, with serious complications, and these are the results of the phenomenon.

The highest representative of PAMI emphasized that their work strategies are focused on acting on the causes that condition this health problem and assured that the scenario is Primary Care and their goal is to reach all the clinics in the province and identify the problems, risks, and gaps by communities.

Manuel René Pérez Gallego, member of the Central Committee and first secretary of the PCC in the province, urged to work more quickly to achieve more timely attention and intervention to the current demands of the population of Tunisia. He reiterated that those responsible for each activity should be appointed and that processes should not be left to spontaneity.

He called for more use to be made of the link with families and the reach of social workers. He stated that the best results can only come from teamwork, from the interweaving of organizations, institutions, and even non-state forms of management.

The analysis also recognized the sector's performance, with five out of six favorable indicators at the country level, with outstanding marks for assisted reproduction and maternal care. It also ratified the commitment to continue prioritizing resources to improve delivery rooms and neonatology wards, to create better scenarios for receiving life.