The solidarity of the Cuban people with Haiti did not arrive because of the earthquake.
Cuba’s collaboration has been offered to that sister nation for over a decade.
At the moment of the earthquake that struck Haiti, four hundred Cuban collaborators were working in that sister country, on free basis and without any interest rather to save lives and provide health to one of the most poorest countries in the world if not the first one.
The Cuban doctors began to offer their services immediately after the earthquake. It was the most important health care assistance received by Haitian people in the first 72 hours.
On 13 January, over 60 health staff joined those in to Port au Prince, including specialists from the Henry Reeve Contingent with experienced in emergencies when similar disasters occurred in Asia and Latin America countries.
ÔÇóUntil Thursday 14 January the Cuban Medical Brigade had assisted 1 987 patients and performed 111 surgeries, at health centers in Port au Prince:
Field Hospital Annex, Hospital La Renaissance, Ofatma Hospital, Diagnostic Health Centers of Grand Goave and Integral Diagnostic Center Mirebalais, the latter two located on the outskirts of the capital.
In addition, Cuban collaborators working in other Haitian departments began to work at another health care point established at the Hospital Delmas 33.
About 400 young Haitians trained as doctors in Cuba are now working with the Cuban reinforcement to save lives in this critical situation.
We can confirm the published information on the authorization by Cuba, immediately it was requested, to allow U.S. aircrafts to use the Cuban airspace in the eastern territory.
Cuba is ready to cooperate with all nations, including the U.S., in order to help the Haitian people and save more lives. Cuba has the necessary staff and infrastructure in that country to do it.
At present, Cuba is cooperating with Venezuela, Namibia and Norway to support the Haitian people. China, D Dominican Republic, Mexico and Russia.
Cuba has requested to the Pan-American Health Organization logistic support, surgical disposables, hospital support, and other materials to ensure medical care in Haiti.
Since December 1998, Cuba offers medical assistance to the Haitian people through a Comprehensive Health Program.
To date 6 thousand 94 collaborators have worked in this sector in Haiti More than 14 million doctor visits, more than 225 thousand surgeries, handled more than 100 thousand deliveries, and save more than 230 thousand lives.
In 2004, after the Tropical Storm Jeanne struck Gonaives City, Cuba helped with a brigade of 64 doctors and 12 tons of medicine.
Five Integral Diagnostic Centers, built by Cuba and Venezuela, provide services to the Haitian people before the earthquake.
Since 2004, Operation Miracle is been carry out in Haiti. Until 31 December 2009, a total than 47 thousand 273 Haitians were operated.
Currently, 660 young Haitians are studying in Cuba, of whom 541 are trained as doctors. 917 professionals have been trained, of whom 570 as doctors.
Cuba cooperates with Haiti in sectors such as agriculture, energy, fisheries, communications, besides health and education.
Because of Cuba’s cooperation in the field of education, 160 thousand Haitians are now literate.
*Embassy of the Republic of Cuba (Botswana)
