12 October 2018
Solomon Islands Prime Minister has welcomed proposals from Cuba to address to address the chronic problem of amputations in the Solomons.
In August this year I wrote a letter to the newspapers in the Solomon Island, as well as posting the letter on Linkedin, about a Cuban engineered plant based medicine called ‘Heberprof-P claimed by many to have proven beneficial for patients suffering from diabetic ulcers.
This is part of what I said at that time:
“Perhaps, the Solomon Island Ministry of Health and Medical Services might wish to investigate whether Heberprot-P could indeed prove beneficial to patients with diabetic ulcers at the NRH and who face the prospect of surgery.”
Today, Friday, I was delighted to read an article published in the Island Sun newspaper which read:
“PRIME Minister Hon. Rick Houenipwela has welcomed proposals for the country to address the chronic problem of amputation and to establish a laboratory to produce plant based medicine in the country.
“This was revealed during his meeting with two experts from Cuba, Dr José Montequin and Consultant Luis Silvagni and led by Solomon Islands Ambassador to Cuba, His Excellency Simeon Bouro early this week.
“The treatment, Heberprot-P is a first-class product developed by scientists at the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana, Cuba which contained human recombinant epidermal growth factor in an injectable formulation.
“The injectable formulation is administered through intralesional inltration directly into the wound for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer, to accelerate healing of deep and complex ulcers, either neuropathic or ischemic.
“About twenty-seven countries have already registered Heberprot-P.
“The Prime Minister said with the high rate of Non- Communicable Diseases in the country, this technology can save a lot of patients from amputation.
“The Prime Minister after his meetings in Nauru recently, had expressed his desire for Solomon Islands to introduce this technology.
“The meeting this week with the team from Cuba has confirmed and fulfilled his vision to have this technology available in the country.
“Dr José Montequin, a specialist who started with the technology in its initial stages of development of the product, Heberprot-P, and has travelled to many countries establishing clinics and also lectures in universities in Havana.
“He has also written articles in the International Medical Journals.
“The second project is to establish a laboratory to produce plant based medicine in the country.”
Copyright @ 2018, Island Sun newspaper.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
