Dominica-Cuba Partnership Continues with Arrival of Health Experts

The Minister of Health, Welfare, and Social Services of Dominica, Cassani Laville, accompanied by the Ambassador of Cuba, Miguel Fraga, received a new group of Cuban health collaborators at the Douglas-Charles International Airport. These seventeen medical professionals are set to play a crucial role in Dominica’s healthcare system, enhancing existing services and improving the ability to deliver top-quality medical care to the population.

We are privileged to be in Dominica, and this new team is eager to collaborate closely with our Dominican counterparts. Our goal is to offer comprehensive medical care and assistance, ensuring that all citizens have access to high-quality healthcare..

The cooperation between Dominica and Cuba is historical. In the Cuban universities of Medical Sciences, 129 health professionals from Dominica have graduated and 45 inhabitants of this Caribbean nation are currently studying.

Photo: misiones.cubaminrex.cu

The delegation comprises specialists across various medical fields, including general practitioners, intensive care physicians, nurses specializing in neonatology and midwifery, radiographers, sonographers, and laboratory technicians. Their diverse expertise will contribute to a comprehensive approach to healthcare delivery. Minister Laville expressed appreciation for the continuous support from the Cuban government, emphasizing the strong bilateral relations between Dominica and Cuba. Their expertise will be crucial in fortifying the healthcare system, particularly in areas requiring specialized skills. Beyond immediate medical services, the Cuban health collaborators will actively participate in training and knowledge sharing with local healthcare workers. This collaborative environment aims to enhance overall healthcare standards in Dominica. Dr. Francisco Sanchez Martinez, the leader of the Cuban Medical Brigade, stated, “We are privileged to be in Dominica, and this new team is eager to collaborate closely with our Dominican counterparts. Our goal is to offer comprehensive medical care and assistance, ensuring that all citizens have access to high-quality healthcare services.”

The Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Social Services, along with the Government of Dominica, extends a warm welcome to the Cuban health collaborators. Their presence is expected to significantly impact the health sector, building upon the enduring partnership between the two nations. This partnership underscores the significance of international solidarity and cooperation in addressing global health challenges. An official welcome ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 28, 2024, at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, where the Cuban health professionals will be honored for their dedication and contributions. Cuba’s medical magicians In Cuba, the lack of access to modern medical equipment due to decades-old U.S. trade sanctions has fostered extraordinary resourcefulness among healthcare professionals. Stories like that of Libia Batista Mora, whose life-threatening bronchial ailment was treated by a doctor who sucked fluid from her lungs using a plastic hose, exemplify the lengths to which Cuban doctors go to save lives. The island's universal healthcare system, free for all citizens, contrasts sharply with the profit-driven U.S. model. Despite low pay, Cuban doctors are committed to alleviating suffering, both domestically and globally, through medical missions in over 100 countries, demonstrating a remarkable dedication to humanitarian service.