Cuban Doctors Are An Example to Imitate, Affirms David Nabarro

The United Nations expert in development and health, David Nabarro, today said that Cuban doctors, who serve in several parts of the world, are an example to follow as they make an important contribution to humanity.

'Since I have been working on development and health issues, I have seen and heard about Cuban doctors, often identified as members of the Henry Reeve Contingent and they are really fantastic,' the British physician declared in an interview with the Prensa Latina.

Nabarro, who was appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to lead the organization's efforts against the cholera epidemic that has plagued Haiti since 2010 added that the Cuban professionals deserve recognition and homage for their work.

Thousands of doctors, nurses and technicians from the island have saved lives and have cared for millions of patients for more than half a century in dozens of countries on five continents, a collaboration that since 2005 has included specialized assistance in disasters and severe epidemics through the Henry Reeve Contingent.

'Cubans have long been in Haiti (since 1998), where they do a great work, especially in rural areas,' he declared.

Nabarro also said that Cuban health professionals were very valuable to the recently launched UN strategy to tackle cholera in Haiti - the disease responsible for more than 9,000 deaths on the island.

Ban announced the initiative on December 1st, which is aimed at fighting the epidemic, improving access to water and sanitation and helping cholera victims in the Caribbean country.

'We aspire to control the epidemic by 2018 and to guarantee full access to water and sanitation by 2030,' said Nabarro, who said that Cuban doctors and specialists have contribute much to these goals.