Cuba in UN reaffirms solidarity position in fight against Ebola

Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno, spoke today at the emergency session of the Security Council of the United Nations to discuss the international confrontation with the Ebola epidemic, in which he confirmed the position of Cuba to contribute professionals health to combat the epidemic, and the solidarity of the island with African peoples.

At the conference, the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon announced the establishment of the UN Mission for the Emergency Response against Ebola (UNMEER for its acronym in English) to be deployed in West Africa, and expressed that “an unprecedented situation requires unprecedented measures that save lives and safeguard peace and security”.

The Security Council also unanimously adopted a resolution that calls on the international community, especially the countries of the region, and provide urgently mobilize technical resources and medical capacity to respond immediately to the outbreak so deadly.

The UN Secretary General is also requested to ensure that all entities of the UN system to speed up their response to the epidemic, including the development and implementation of plans designed in cooperation with the governments of the region and encourages the World Organization Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen technical leadership in the field.

The text called on the governments of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, most affected countries, accelerate the establishment of national mechanisms to enable early diagnosis, isolation of suspected cases, treatment, and launching public education campaigns about avoiding exposure.

This is the third time in history that the Security Council of the UN holds a meeting on a health issue; the past two times were related to the AIDS epidemic.

Cuba sent to Sierra Leone in the first week of October to 165 health professionals, including physicians, nurses, epidemiologists and social workers, who will remain there for six months.

Cuban aid be provided through the WHO, side by side with doctors in any country is decided, including the United States.

Intervention Abelardo Moreno, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba at the meeting of the Security Council of the UN dedicated to the fight against Ebola, September 18, 2014.

(Translation – the State Council)

Madam President:

Let me first of all thank the Secretary General, Dr. Navarro, Dr. Chan and Mr. Niamah for the information you have given us, I can assure you that we are extremely useful and necessary.

Madam President:

The gravity of the situation created by the Ebola epidemic plaguing some countries in West and Central Africa, raises the need to confront it with energy and have the cooperation of all countries.

In that spirit, Cuba, at the request of the Secretary General of the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, and the Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan, has already begun the process of cooperation under the coordination WHO, as announced last Friday by the Minister of Health of the Republic of Cuba, Dr. Roberto Morales Ojeda.

This cooperation will enable Sierra Leone to send a medical team whose members have expressed their willingness to join the fight against this epidemic. All have more than 15 years of professional experience and have worked in other countries to natural disasters and epidemiological and medical cooperation missions.

We are prepared to work closely with other countries, including those with whom we have no diplomatic relations.

This Cuban response is part of our solidarity aid to Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. During the past 55 years we have worked in 158 countries, with the participation of 325 000 710 health workers. In 39 African countries have worked 76 thousand 744 employees.Today, in this sector, 4000 048 Cubans serving in 32 African nations; of them, 269 are physicians 2000.

Furthermore, Cuba, a small and poor country, has so far made, free of charge, 38 thousand 940 doctors in 121 countries. Currently pursuing a medical career in our island 10,000 young foreigners, 6000 of which make no charge, under the principle of continuing to help the poor and those with resources bear the cost, which helps ensure sustainability of the Cuban health system and international collaboration.

Madam President:

In this battle against Ebola, which should be everyone, the Government of Cuba decided to maintain and extend their cooperation to the most affected countries, which have already been informed.

In the rest of the region not affected by Ebola and where we have, as I have already said more than 4000 health partners, we are ready to help in the prevention of this disease.

Medical brigades to be sent to Africa to fight Ebola, are part of the “Henry Reeve International Contingent” I, created in the year 2005 comprising specialized in dealing with disasters and major epidemics doctors.

Cuba’s response confirmed the solidarity values ​​that have guided the Cuban Revolution not give what is left over; share what we have.

Africa is waiting for the immediate response of all the members of the United Nations, and particularly of those who have resources. Urge to join this global effort against Ebola. Mankind owes a debt to the people of Africa. We can not let them down.

Thank you very much.