Holguín among the provinces with the lowest infant mortality rate
- Written by Lourdes Pichs Rodríguez
- Published in Health
- Hits: 153
The province of Holguín closed 2025 with an infant mortality rate of 6.42 per thousand live births, the fourth lowest in the country and the lowest in eastern Cuba, despite having experienced one of the most difficult years for Cuba and its healthcare system.
This achievement reflects the perseverance of health professionals and workers, along with institutions linked to the Maternal and Child Care Program (PAMI), who faced shortages of essential resources and various hardships.
The head of PAMI in the province, Dr. Alberto Rubén Piriz, reported that 6,583 children were born during the year. Among provinces with more than 5,000 births, Holguín stands out for having the lowest infant mortality rate, an impressive result considering the economic difficulties and external challenges faced.
The province also celebrates the work of the Vladimir Ilich Lenin Provincial Hospital, which, in its 60th anniversary year, ended 2025 with an infant mortality rate of 2.17 and 5,054 births. This record was achieved amid resource shortages, hurricanes, arboviral diseases, and staff shortages that made service delivery even more difficult.
The Neonatology Services showed an overall survival rate of 98.8 percent and reduced by more than 100 the absolute number of low birth weight cases compared to the previous year.
Additionally, the Regional Center for Neonatal Surgery, which serves all of eastern Cuba, performed high-risk operations for congenital malformations such as gastroschisis and anorectal correction, highlighting its contribution.
In assisted reproduction, by the end of November, 96 clinical pregnancies of low complexity had been achieved and 76 artificial inseminations performed — results recognized nationally as among the best.
These preliminary PAMI data for Holguín are expected to form the basis for future reports, further enriching the overview of 2025.
