Cuba

Key Results in 2022-2023

HIV prevention programmes reached over 967 000 adolescents and more than 146 000 people from key populations.
Thousands of healthcare professionals gained further expertise in delivering comprehensive care and health information among vulnerable and key populations.
Community-led HIV response for key populations was reinforced through capacity building of over 1700 gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender women and people living with HIV working in community spaces.
WHO-recommended antiretroviral medicines are made available for all people living with HIV.

Joint Programme Results

In Cuba, the Joint Programme’s support in 2022-2023 focused on ensuring access to HIV services among vulnerable and key populations, including through evidence generation, capacity building of healthcare professionals and the procurement of essential commodities for the national HIV response. Over 146 000 people from key populations, predominantly gay men and other men who have sex with men and transgender persons, accessed combination HIV prevention services, while nearly 169 000 people received voluntary HIV counselling and testing (UNDP). With the Joint Programme’s support, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was established in 20 polyclinics serving 1380 gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers and transgender people by end 2023 (UNDP, WHO).

The first biobehavioural survey of HIV prevalence in key populations was implemented in 2023, allowing the generation of estimates for key populations’ size and HIV prevalence (31.8% among transgender women and 15.6% among gay men and other men who have sex with men). Besides, the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with networks of key populations and the Joint Programme, implemented HIV service monitoring systems improving access, efficiency and quality of HIV services for populations at risk of HIV. Evidence from these initiatives is expected to further strengthen HIV programming among these groups (UNDP).

HIV incidence per 1000 uninfected populations

Source: AIDSinfo

AIDS mortality per 1000 population

Source: AIDSinfo

Progress towards 95-95-95 targets

Source: AIDSinfo

Community-led HIV and sexually transmitted infections prevention programmes reached over 967 000 adolescents, thanks to the Joint Programme’s collaboration with several networks, namely: RedCub+, Red HSH, Red TransCuba and Red de Mujeres Positivas. Over 9100 teachers have improved capacities to incorporate HIV prevention in the education system while 4670 adolescents were trained to promote and strengthen health education programmes in schools and communities. Engagement with 1154 adolescents and young people, including transgender girls, gay men and other men who have sex with men, and young people living with HIV or disabilities, helped to identify their HIV and sexual and reproductive health needs, that informed the development of out-of-school comprehensive sexuality education programmes. In addition, close to 22 400 people, including key populations, community leaders, health personnel and managers also benefited from educational materials on the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections and protection of rights (UNFPA).

Comprehensive adolescent health services in 20 municipalities were enhanced through the implementation of a new policy and quality standards with a focus on sexual and reproductive health, as well as the orientation of nearly 650 healthcare professionals on appropriate application of these standards and policy. Moreover, 55 primary health care units and 1618 basic health teams gained further expertise in delivering comprehensive care and health information among adolescents, including counselling on contraception and sexually transmitted infections screening, thanks to the support from the Joint Programme (UNFPA).

To further reinforce testing and monitoring of people living with HIV, GenXpert machines for HIV viral load monitoring were installed in each of the six primary healthcare facilities and five molecular biology laboratories obtained laboratory equipment and supplies (UNDP). In addition, in partnership with the networks RedCub+, Red TransCuba, Red HSH and Federación de Mujeres Cubanas (FMC), nine community brigades established in Pinar del Río and Artemisa municipalities ensured the continuity of HIV and other healthcare services among 7425 people affected by Hurricane Ian—including women and transgender people living with HIV and people diagnosed with other sexually transmitted infections (UNFPA).

Community-led HIV response for key populations was reinforced through capacity building of 1776 gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender women and people living with HIV working in community spaces. Besides, a total of 435 people living with HIV were trained as adherence managers to increase treatment adherence among their peers (UNDP). Key populations organizations—TransCuba, RedCub+ and HSH-Cuba are better equipped to deliver quality HIV prevention, testing and support services through technical and material support such as education materials and communication devices. The Joint Programme also provided strategic support to 23 legal guidance services, where 244 people including women, gay men and other men who have sex with men, and men living with HIV sought support in 2023 (UNDP).