Immunodiagnostics: the convergence of biotech and public health.

Conceiving, building, maintaining and refi ning a universal health system is an inordinately complex undertaking. Its effective implementation requires everything from political will consistently and strategically applied, to accurate epidemiological data and analysis, plus quality medical education and active citizen participation. It also takes resources—fi nancial, technological, pharmaceutical and professional—a perennial challenge for a small, economically-constrained island nation like Cuba. Indeed, even some highly developed nations like the United States have yet to achieve universal health coverage.