Prime Minister Drew Initiates Discussions on Biotechnology Partnership with Cuba’s BioCubaFarma

On May 22, 2025, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew of St. Kitts and Nevis, accompanied by a delegation of high-ranking officials, embarked on a significant visit to BioCubaFarma in Havana, Cuba. The primary objective of this visit was to engage in substantive discussions with First President Mr. Eulogio Pimentel Vazquez and other senior executives of BioCubaFarma, exploring potential avenues of collaboration between St. Kitts and Nevis, the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and Cuba’s renowned biotechnology sector. Prime Minister Drew’s particular focus was on understanding and potentially leveraging Cuba’s expertise and established framework in public health, recognizing its remarkable achievements despite facing resource limitations. This visit underscored a strategic intent to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across the Caribbean region, drawing upon Cuba’s successful model.

Prime Minister Drew expressed deep admiration for Cuba’s public health system and its innovative biotechnology sector, highlighting their effectiveness and ingenuity despite operating under resource constraints. He emphasized that the Cuban approach resonates strongly with his vision of bolstering primary healthcare services throughout the Caribbean. This vision extends beyond simply acquiring specific Cuban products; it seeks to integrate Cuban expertise into the Caribbean’s public health leadership, fostering the development of more resilient and prevention-oriented healthcare systems. The Prime Minister’s vision recognizes the value of learning from Cuba’s experience and adapting its successful strategies to the unique context of the Caribbean region. This approach acknowledges the importance of capacity building and sustainable healthcare development.

The discussions between Prime Minister Drew and BioCubaFarma officials transcended mere exploration of individual products or services. The Prime Minister emphasized a deeper interest in understanding the underlying principles and strategies that have made Cuba’s public health system so successful. This interest signifies a commitment to not just adopting isolated elements of the Cuban system but to internalizing its core philosophies and adapting them to the specific needs and context of St. Kitts and Nevis and other CARICOM nations. This holistic approach suggests a desire to build long-term capacity and develop sustainable public health infrastructure. It also signals a move towards preventative healthcare, addressing health issues at their roots rather than solely focusing on treatment.

The visit culminated in a mutual agreement to initiate concrete steps towards collaboration on several key initiatives aimed at advancing health and public health systems in St. Kitts and Nevis and across the broader Caribbean region. This agreement marks the transition from exploratory discussions to actionable steps, indicating a strong commitment from both parties to translate their shared vision into tangible outcomes. The focus on regional collaboration reflects a recognition of the interconnectedness of health challenges and the potential for shared solutions across Caribbean nations.

Prime Minister Drew placed significant emphasis on the importance of adhering to international standards and upholding international humanitarian law in any cooperative endeavors between the two countries. This underscores a commitment to transparency, ethical practices, and responsible collaboration in pursuing shared health goals. It reinforces the importance of conducting any joint initiatives within a framework of established international norms and principles, ensuring accountability and ethical conduct. This emphasis on international standards also serves to build trust and confidence in the collaborative process, assuring stakeholders that any initiatives undertaken will be conducted with integrity and respect for established global norms.

The visit to BioCubaFarma by Prime Minister Drew and his delegation represents a significant step towards strengthening healthcare systems in St. Kitts and Nevis and the wider Caribbean. By leveraging Cuba’s expertise and experience in public health and biotechnology, the region aims to build more resilient, prevention-focused healthcare systems. The commitment to adhering to international standards and humanitarian law ensures that this collaboration will be conducted responsibly and ethically, fostering trust and ensuring long-term sustainability. This collaborative approach recognizes the interconnectedness of health challenges within the Caribbean and seeks to develop shared solutions that benefit the entire region. The focus on building capacity and integrating Cuban expertise into regional public health leadership promises a significant and lasting impact on the health and well-being of Caribbean populations.