Cuba will join a global effort coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) to fight Ebola in Western Africa by sending 165 health professionals, the island’s Health Minister Roberto Morales announced in Geneva.
The medical brigade is made up of 62 doctors and 103 nurses with over 15 years of experience, said Morales during a press conference given by WHO director general Margaret Chan.
All these professionals have worked in other nations in the fight of natural and epidemiological disasters, and in medical collaboration missions, Morales said and noted that their selection was based on their voluntary decision to jointly work with other doctors from any country that joins the efforts.
This way, the Cuban government has responded to the call for assistance made by the WHO and by UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon as part of a world effort to fight the epidemic.
Cuba began assisting other nations just after the revolutionary victory of 1959 and since that point in time 325 thousand 710 health workers have offered assistance in 58 countries of the world. In the case of Africa, said Morales, a total of 76 thousand 744 Cuban health workers have offered their services thus far in 39 nations.
The Cuban Health minister called on the governments and health ministers of all nations that can join the global effort against Ebola at times when Africa is badly needing international solidarity and support.
Cuba Says Ebola in Africa Must be fought by Joint International Cooperation
Cuban deputy foreign minister Abelardo Moreno reiterated at the UN Security Council the island’s determination to cooperate with international efforts to fight Ebola in western and central Africa.
The Ebola situation in Africa demands the collaboration of all countries, said Moreno who recalled that Cuba responded to the request of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and World Health Organization Margaret Chan to join the Ebola campaign.
Cuba is also willing to contribute to the prevention of the disease in the rest of the region that has not yet been affected, where over 4 thousand Cuban doctors are currently working, Moreno announced and explained that the medical brigades that will depart for Africa are part of the Henry Reeve International Contingent, set up in 2005, and made up of professionals specialized in situations of disasters and large epidemics.
The Cuban response ratified the supportive values that have led the Cuban Revolution, which imply sharing what we have and not what we have left, Moreno stressed and added that Africa is now waiting for the immediate response of all UN member states and particularly those that have enough resources.
Humanity has a debt with the African countries, we cannot let them down, he concluded.
