The little island of Cuba, despite being economically blockaded for six decades by the United States, is a shining light when it comes to International Humanitarian Medical help.
Sri Lanka is not what comes to your mind when you think of Cuban Medical help.
Cuban Doctors provide medical assistance to Lankan migrant workers in Haiti
The Cuban Government, on a request made by the Government of Sri Lanka, has sent a medical team to attend to the medical needs of Sri Lankan migrant workers in Haiti. The five-member medical team has arrived on 07 May at the facility within the Caracol industrial park in the North East region of Haiti, where the majority of Sri Lankans live. The Cuban medical team will advise the Sri Lankan migrant workers with best practices for the prevention of COVID-19 spread, regular screening of medical conditions and primary care for those in need.
Cuban Medical team arriving at the Factory Park Coracol.
Sri Lanka had become successful in clothes manufacture in recent decades with clothes bound for Europe and USA. Since the largest market in USA, they had set up factories in two places one of which is in the northeastern part of Haiti.
Haiti is a poor country so these expatriate workers had to be provided with health care and education during these difficult times.
Cuba already sends a large team of doctors and nurses to help Haiti as well as invite students from Haiti to come and study in Cuba.
Imagine my happiness when I read this news today both in
Juventud Rebelde newspaper from Cub as well as Colombo Times from Sri Lanka (on line). I was alerted to this news by a good friend Aksam, the excellent host at Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge at Doha International Airport.
Of all the things I am proud of, this International humanitarian help in the form of Health Care is what I am proud of the most! More than once, in various parts of the world, I been hugged and thanked for the help of the Cuban people for the education and health care provided.
