Journalist specializing in health issues, José Antonio de la Osa Cao, dies

April 19, 2021

A significant loss for Cuban journalism is represented by the death, on April 17th, of the distinguished journalist from the newspaper Granma, José Antonio de la Osa Cao (San Antonio de los Baños, 1939).

He stood out as a press professional, in which he dedicated his great work for more than 25 years to science journalism.

He held the responsibility of president of the Health Communicators Section of the Caribbean Medical Association (AMECA) and was the author of several books on scientific figures.

He was the creator and author of the Medical Consultation column in Granma, a task to which he devoted all his passion for readers and medical sciences.

Without abandoning the practice of his profession, from which he retired, this dedicated journalist taught at the Faculty of Communication at the University of Havana, teaching classes in the regular daytime course, and postgraduate courses on journalistic techniques. He is the creator of a method of audiovisual shorthand aimed at communicators.

In 1994, his book To Prevent Meningitis and Other Ailments was published in Argentina, which merited a second edition for Cuba in May 1995, the year in which his title Artisans of Life was also published, presented in Chile, Argentina and other Latin American countries, referring to the scientific work of the International Center for Neurological Restoration in Havana.

Likewise, from his tireless work came to light in Spain, in 1996, his most recent work: Defying the Incurable, on the Cuban contribution to the treatment of vitiligo.

De la Osa Cao participated in all major international scientific events held in Cuba in the last two decades.

He also prepared monographs for education programs of the Ministry of Public Health.

A professional respected and loved by his colleagues and students, he always instilled high ethical and professional values, as well as love for the Homeland and the Revolution.