“IN Guyana a total number of 531 professionals have graduated in the health field (from Cuban medical institutions) where 92% or 488 of them are physicians. We have been graduating Guyanese professionals since 1976” said the Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade, Dr. Midalys Otero Hernandez.

Speaking to this newspaper in an interview held at the Cuban Embassy Dr Hernandez highlighted several activities which the Medical Brigade has been spearheading. She said “the miracle operation was started in 2004 and in Guyana the Eye Hospital (the Port Mourant Ophthalmological Centre) was inaugurated on July 25, 2009.”
Dr Hernandez explained that Cuban Medical Brigades offer their services in rural areas where their work do not interfere with that of the doctors within the countries they service. The doctors offer their services to all sectors of the population, without making any kind of distinction due to race, ideology or religion beliefs, also without getting involved in political matters, respecting the laws and traditions of the countries they bring service to.
Asked about her experiences with the population and authorities here in Guyana Dr Hernandez said: “It is positive, the Guyanese people are friendly, and have shown respect and love for the Cuban doctors. They are very disciplined; never miss an appointment and fulfill all medical indication. The Guyanese authorities have supported us in our work and in the improvement of the living conditions of the collaborators. We have an excellent relation with the Minister of Health, Dr. Beri Ramsaran as well as Minister of Public Services, Dr. Jennifer Westford who are very professional and whose only aim is to continue improving the health conditions of the people of Guyana.”
Her response, when asked what motivates Cubans to have these Medical Brigades worldwide she responded: “It has always been to share professional experiences, to know new health systems, and to help the poorest people to improve their life quality and expectancy. Cuban doctor’s formation involves values like humanism, solidarity and internationalism; we have never seen patients as merchandise or clients. We are part of the humble Cuban people and have the capacity to transform, offer help and to establish relations with patients.”
Dr Hernandez concluded: “Our perspectives are to continue our collaboration fulfilling in this way with the agreement between the two countries and this will last while the Government of Guyana needs our cooperation. And to work with the Guyanese Ministry of Health in implementing the health strategies 2020, to continue the quality in the pre and post graduate formation and consolidate the historical bonds between the two countries”.
“There are presently 83 Cuban trained Guyanese medical students completing their six- year medical studies and 278 newly graduated doctors under the Cuban Brigade who have passed the 18 months of training” Professor Mercedes Vasallo Zulveta disclosed.
Professor Zulveta indicated that she has been teaching and assisting the students presently in Guyana to finish their medical studies and she has had numerous workshops open to the public to build awareness as well as to educate persons on different aspects of health. She reiterated that medical science changes every day and for students or doctors research and experiment is necessary at all levels.
On May 23, 1963 the first Cuban Medical Brigade was sent to the Republic of Argelia to fulfill an international mission comprising of 55 collaborators, 29 of them were doctors, this was the Cuban Medical Collaboration official start with permanent brigades aboard.
Cuba remembers the act of solidarity and courage shown by Guyana and three other independent countries in 1972. It has consistently forged and strengthened its relations with Guyana through cooperation agreements in the areas of health, education, culture, sport and agriculture among others.
Guyana has been receiving Cuban medical personnel since 1978 where the Cubans have provided health care and services to Guyanese at home and to those who have travelled to Cuba for specialist treatment at little or no cost. Guyana has benefited from more than hundreds of scholarships, with the majority being in the field of medicine. Also Guyana has the largest contingent of scholarship students from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) studying in Cuba. The Operation Milagro Programme and the three Diagnostic Centres in different regions of Guyana perhaps best illustrate the value of the relationship.
Cuba has been facing an economic blockade by the United States for just over five decades, is a friend to the entire developing world. Since the Cuban Revolution in 1959, 27,000 professionals from 119 countries have graduated from Cuban institutions. Of this total 5,000 are from the Caribbean of which 554 are Guyanese.
By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally