title: [Implementation of the International Health Regulations in Cuba: evaluation of basic capacities of the health sector in selected provinces].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obtain baseline information on the status of the basic capacities of the health sector at the local, municipal, and provincial levels in order to facilitate identification of priorities and guide public policies that aim to comply with the requirements and capacities established in Annex 1A of the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR-2005).
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by application of an instrument of evaluation of basic capacities referring to legal and institutional autonomy, the surveillance and research process, and the response to health emergencies in 36 entities involved in international sanitary control at the local, municipal, and provincial levels in the provinces of Havana, Cienfuegos, and Santiago de Cuba.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The polyclinics and provincial centers of health and epidemiology in the three provinces had more than 75% of the basic capacities required. Twelve out of 36 units had implemented 50% of the legal and institutional framework. There was variable availability of routine surveillance and research, whereas the entities in Havana had more than 40% of the basic capacities in the area of events response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The provinces evaluated have integrated the basic capacities that will allow implementation of IHR-2005 within the period established by the World Health Organization. It is necessary to develop and establish effective action plans to consolidate surveillance as an essential activity of national and international security in terms of public health.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, La Habana, Cuba. angela@ipk.sld.cu
authors.forename: Ángela
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Gala
authors.forename: María Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Yanisnubia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Díaz González
authors.forename: Angel Manuel
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alvarez Valdez
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Estévez
authors.forename: Rolando Miyar
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Abreu
authors.forename: Gustavo Kourí
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Flores
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003462:Cuba; D004189:Disaster Planning; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006291:Health Policy; D006292:Health Priorities; D006295:Health Resources / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D016365:Liability, Legal; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014944:World Health Organization