Cuba, U.S. sign cooperation agreement on cancer research

Cuba and the United States on Thursday signed an agreement to cooperate on cancer research as part of a visit to the island nation by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell.

Signed by Burwell and Cuban Minister of Health Roberto Morales, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) involves implementation of joint research projects, meetings, and workshops related to cancer control, in a bid to promote their exchange of information and best practices on the matter.

"This agreement on cancer research and control is very important because we know it is a big issue in both countries and we are excited to work together to make progress in this field," said Burwell after signing the accord.

The document will allow both countries to work jointly on the detection and treatment of cancer as well as learning from each other' s experiences in different environments.

She also expressed willingness to cooperate with the Cuban side on cancer prevention.

"We know that this disease is a factor that causes lots of deaths in Cuba and in the United States and it's our firm conviction to work along Cuban institutions," she added.

Meanwhile, Morales said the agreement is a new step within the framework of an accord signed in June in which both nations agreed to exchange information on different topics in the health sector.

The Cuban health official, while highlighting the importance of the deal, noted that the U.S. economic embargo on the island still weighed on burgeoning Cuba-U.S. cooperation.

Morales and Burwell had met in private earlier to discuss bilateral cooperation.

Apart from signing the deal, Burwell's stay in Havana also includes a regional meeting sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on Zika. He is expected to address challenges regarding this virus along with experts and health authorities of all nations of the Americas.