On-line consultations for those with vitiligo, psoriasis and alopecia

BY LILLIAM RIERA —Granma International staff writer—

• The Placenta Histotherapy Center will shortly be offering this new international service • Clinical trials now taking place for the first Melagenina Plus synthetic substitute and a tinted lotion to cover up loss of pigmentation caused by vitiligo

The Placenta Histotherapy Center (CHP), a part of the scientific complex located in west Havana and a pioneer in health tourism, will soon be offering an on-line international consulting service, Dr. Gustavo O. Rodríguez Alvarez told Granma International.

He explained that the new service will allow people anywhere in the globe to directly consult with Dr. Carlos Miyares Cao and his medical team — without having to travel to the island. Patients can then receive the relevant medication by post.

It was Miyares Cao who discovered that the human placenta contains substances useful for curing vitiligo (an illness that causes pigmentation loss in the skin), psoriasis and alopecia (resulting in hair loss).

The CHP opened its doors 17 years ago on April 25, offering the world a new biological therapy of unparalleled efficacy with no side effects. Patients from 132 nations have been treated, informed Rodríguez, adding: "More than 80 foreigners and some 350 Cubans are seen each month."

He told Granma International that over 150 Venezuelans have received treatment as part of the Cuba/Venezuela health agreement; in subsequent surveys that the center uses to monitor any deficiencies and thus improve the service, these patients "have expressed their gratitude to both the Cuban people and the Revolution for offering them the possibility to come and be cured."

The doctor explained that vitiligo patients are treated with Melagenina Plus; psoriasis sufferers with Coriodemina and Magnesium Sulfate Hydrating Gel; and those with alopecia receive Pilotrofina, which stimulates hair growth.

The Clinic’s resources include clinical services, research and production. Their medications "are available in all Cuban pharmacies for those requiring them," and also exported. Cuban company Heber Biotec is responsible for marketing the CHP’s cosmetic line and medicines.

Once again, the recently concluded 11th International Medical Technology Health for All Fair served as a framework for the CHP to display — along with its well-known products — new ones such as Coriotrombin, which diagnoses blood coagulation states, and is "already in use in clinical-surgical hospitals." Also on show was a second-generation version of Coriodermina gel "that does not need storing in a refrigerator or includes infra red lamp treatment to be effective."

Also presented was a moisturizing cream containing human placenta that, when massaged into the body, eliminates cellulite and moisturizes and softens the skin.

Other products were displayed that are still undergoing clinical trials —the SSM1, the first synthetic substitute of Melagenina Plus; Coriolactin, diagnosing pre-partum placental activity; a soluble food made from placental residue that can be administered internally via a gastric probe to intensive care patients; and a tinted fluid to cover up vitiligo marks on the face, neck, arms and hands.

Rodríguez explained that this last product, enriched with human placental lipoproteins, won the Fair’s gold medal. "It comes in various shades," thus enabling those with vitiligo to even out their skin tone. The doctor pointed out that the new product also "helps affected areas to re-pigment and has no side effects."

For further information, write to the Center at chp@infomed.sld.cu or visit its website: www.histoterapia-placentaria.cu