On a trip to Cuba this month, representatives of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council want to explore ways for its members to access a Cuban treatment for diabetic foot ulcers particularly in light of the relatively high rate of diabetes among members.

Care and prevention of diabetes-related complications in Akwesasne are among the tribe’s health priorities.

Throughout Indian Country, Native people experience an 11.4 percent prevalence of the disease. The community of Akwesasne has a diabetic population of 16.4 percent. In comparison, the State of New York has 9.7 percent disease prevalence.

One of the most severe complications from the disease is diabetic foot ulcer, which impairs wound healing and sometimes leads to amputation.

In early 2016, the National Congress of American Indians shared information on a treatment for diabetic ulcer, developed in Cuba. The treatment, Heberprot-P, is available in 26 countries, but not accessible in the U.S. or Canada.

They would like access to Heberprot-P and to be able to consider other forms of medical treatment, including lung cancer vaccines, developed by the Cuban health system.

Chief Beverly Cook, FNP, and Chief Eric Thompson were given a unique introduction to the Ambassador to Cuba last December, through Katsi Cook, Certified Aboriginal Midwife and Program Director, Indigenous Leadership of Indigenous Girls and Women, NoVo Foundation, and Jose Barreiro of the Smithsonian Institution. Jose R. Cabanas, the Cuba’s ambassador to the US, was impressed with the presentation regarding the community’s approach to diabetic care and prevention, according to a press release from the tribe at Akwesasne.

Ambassador Cabanas extended a rare official invitation to the leaders on behalf of the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, a country rich in ethnic diversity and Indigenous thinking,” said Chief Cook. “The World Health Organization recognizes Cuba as having one of the most effective public health systems. The intent is that we build a relationship that allows us to access treatment that benefits Native patients to avoid amputation as a result of diabetes. Our initial focus is on Mohawk patients and Six Nations communities with the vision of nurturing a deeper understanding and sharing of cultural practices and protocols.”

Through the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, the group will spend five days touring Cuban medical facilities, research centers and meeting the officials responsible for the medical research programs. The group will be traveling April 24 to 30. During the tour, the delegation, including the Director of Health Services Michael Cook, Dr. Joseph Robinson, physician at SRM Health Services, and Allyson Doctor, MS Health Communication, will visit 14 institutions, including the National Institute of Endocrinology, the Latin American School of Medicine and a meeting with the directors of a bio-tech pharmaceutical organization, Biocubafarma.

Heberprot-P is an innovative Cuban product containing human epidermal growth factor. Evidence indicates it accelerates healing of deep and complex ulcers and reduces diabetes-related amputations. Data from clinical trials of Heberprot-P in patients with diabetic foot ulcers have shown that repeated local treatment could safely enhance healing of chronic wounds, according to a research paper from the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information.

“Access to Heberprot-P may extend the years and quality of life to people facing diabetic wound complications and amputation,” said Chief Thompson. “We recognize the political hurdles of the past. It is our intent to create access to a medication that decreases amputations, suffering and disability. Ultimately, we hope to pave the path to treatment that will benefit our Mohawk people and other Native communities.”

The delegation will prepare a report on the visit to be shared nationally.