Cuban medical personnel arrived in Venezuela to help fight COVID-19
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Aiming at counselling Cuban collaborators as well as sharing their experiences with health authorities in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, several members of the Henry Reeve International Contingent of Doctors specialized in Disasters and Serious Epidemics arrived in Venezuela on Sunday. The goal is to help fight this new COVID-19 in the South American nation.
Before Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health, José Angel Portal Miranda, the health specialists committed to ceaselessly work to training their Venezuelan colleagues; backing the government of this sister nation in the planning and organization to better counteract this outbreak, and training Cuban specialists there to follow the action protocol in line with the humanitarianism, altruism, and professionalism of Cuban medicine. All ratified they will return home with the satisfaction of having this mission accomplished.
Before departing to Venezuela, the head of Cuba’s Public Health Ministry (MINSAP) recalled the solidarity spirit of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and confirmed Cubans will be always ready to help those in need: “The Revolution and our people will show you permanent gratitude for this noble action,” he stated.
Dr. José Ernesto Betancourt Lavastida, head of this group of health professionals, described this epidemic — causing COVID-19 disease — as difficult to handle and a global pandemic due to its scope, as its solution depends mostly on the responsible, joint efforts of all nations.
“A lot of governments are closely monitoring the situation. Cuba follows that line as the health of citizens is one of Cuba’s top priorities. Other countries have reacted slowly and this contributed to the rapid spread of the outbreak,” pointed out the director of MINSAP Defense and Civil Defense.
He also highlighted that the group is made of professionals specialized in epidemiology, virology, intensive care, and internal medicine.
He highlighted the responsibility of every individual and the need to guarantee medical coverage to all citizens, which is a strength in Cuba.
Dr. Yalier Torres López, intensive care doctor, specified that in previous days, they were provided with a preparatory course concerning all action protocols for medical assistance as well as the plan to combat epidemics, making emphasis on Coronavirus.
Torres López stated: “this is another mission for the Revolution and to me, it is an honor to be one of the doctors chosen to bring this to fruition.”
Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff
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