By Syara S. Massip on January 26, 2026
foto: Syara S. Massip
This morning, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) welcomed members of the HATUEY project coordinated by American activist and trade unionist Gloria La Riva, who, together with solidarity groups from the United States and other countries, carries out actions and campaigns to collect medicines primarily for the treatment of pediatric cancer.
Carrying out the HATUEY (Health Advocates in Truth, Unity and Empathy) project “has been a long road because it requires advice on what is needed for each type of cancer, how many bulbs, how many milligrams, applying for import licenses because we are in the midst of a very severe blockade that is unknown,” said La Riva at the eighth delivery ceremony, where she also highlighted the work of American youth Andira Alvez and Rachel Viqueira, who made the the donation a success through hard work and co ordination.
The event provide the perfect space to denounce the intensification of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government and the current administration’s cruel and disastrous policy toward the island. In the meeting the illegal actions of the U.S. against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro Moros and his wife, the combatant Cilia Flores were also raised.
Dr. Carlos Alberto Martínez Blanco, head of the cancer program at the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, expressed his deepest gratitude for this sensitive and timely gesture, highlighting that the additional value of the medicines received is determined by the human factor and solidarity between peoples, where the fight against injustice and inequality prevails.
He also explained that pediatric oncology services in Cuba are affected by a lack of material and financial resources—as a result of the blockade—and this has had a negative impact on Cuban health indicators achieved after January 1, 1959, which have been comparable to those of first world countries since then.
With the social policies of the Cuban Revolution, the island’s cancer program is treated as a care program where the control and treatment of childhood cancer is a priority.
“Based on a network of care for children with cancer, survival rates of 80% have been achieved, which is still above the parameters established by the World Health Organization (WHO). The survival rate has fallen, and protocols have had to be modified.“ Dr. Blanco also emphasized that despite everything, the people have continued to educate themselves and develop science in favor of public health as a fundamental human right, the right to life, creating strategies for research and development of national medicines.
”We will continue to defend our indicators with our professionals, preparing ourselves and with this solidarity aid. Our country will move forward and our children will be able to survive with the effort and intelligence of the professionals that the Revolution has trained.”
Young Andira Alvez stressed that they feel a responsibility to oppose the aggression against Cuba and Venezuela. Rachel Viqueira also highlighted that the people who have joined the group are from different states that support Cuba and the organization. Some young people arriving on the island for the first time came with the mission of explaining to the American people upon their return what is really happening in Cuba.
Dr. Andy Hernández Álvarez, head of services at the Juan Manuel Márquez Hospital, expressed his gratitude for the delivery of medicines that will reach hundreds of patients across the island. He explained how professionals from across the country work together to create a network to deliver donated treatments to those who cannot access the capital.
He highlighted the heroism of HATUEY’s members in the work they have done, the results they have achieved, and the lives of Cuban children they have helped save from cancer.
Source: Cuba en Resumen