By Víctor Villalba on February 11, 2023
photo: Víctor Villalba
The Minister of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba, José Ángel Portal Miranda, bade farewell last night at the Havana airport to the Medical Brigade made up of members of the International Contingent of Doctors Specialized in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics “Henry Reeve”.
The Cuban doctors left for Turkey to attend to the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on Monday, February 6, leaving approximately 22,000 people dead and more than 70,000 injured. The casualties continue to mount as the survivors are facing dangerously cold temperatures outside. In the case of Syria criminal sanctions led by the US have made things even worse because a lot of the equipment needed are forbidden
Once again blockaded Cuba has quickly risen sending trained disaster professionals to the region. The Minister Of Public Health explained that, “The Henry Reeve Brigade we are sending today is composed of 32 professionals, 4 women and 28 men. Among them 20 medical specialists, 11 graduates including nurses, epidemiologists and service personnel. All of them with more than 5 years of work experience and 69% of them with international and emergency missions in Pakistan, Guinea Conakry, Liberia when Ebola broke out, in Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Andorra and Cubells facing Covid-19”.
Miranda stressed that they are ready to send more brigades if necessary and also to assist the sister country of Syria in the event of a request for medical aid.
Cuba is sending its health professionals to save lives just 4 days after one of the most devastating earthquakes ever recorded by humanity.
Source: Cuba en Resumen