After fruitful days, marked by analysis and exchange of actions and ideas that seek to support the social goal of saving lives and making the planet a better world, the 22nd Meeting of Heads of Medical Missions Abroad concluded today, at the headquarters of the Central Medical Cooperation Unit.
The last working session was chaired by Susili Morfa González, member of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party and head of the Social Welfare Department, Jorge Luis Perdomo de Lela, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister, José Ángel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health and Santiago Badia González, Secretary General of the National Union of Health Workers.
As usual, the Cuban Medical Cooperation Yearbook 2023, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Central Unit of Medical Cooperation, is presented, a comprehensive work detailing the work of Cuban medical teams around the world, an example of their humanity, altruism and dedication to every mission.
At the presentation, Dr. Felipe de Jesus Delgado Bustillo told the audience that this magazine reflects a defense of Cuban medical cooperation in the face of distorted media campaigns promoted by the United States government, demonstrating its actions and commitment to global health.
He stressed that in this thirteenth edition the sixtieth anniversary of Cuban medical cooperation is also honored, and the work of the Rebel Army Commander José Ramón Machado Ventura, who was Minister of Public Health from 1960 to 1968 and the organizer of the first group of internationalist doctors sent to Chile in solidarity with the earthquake that occurred, is also commended.
He pointed out that for the second time it is also printed with a translation into Italian, in appreciation of the work of Cuban doctors in the regions of Italy to combat Covid-19 and for the arrival of a new contingent in Calabria. The presence of women in the field of medical cooperation is also mentioned.
In reading the minutes of the 22nd meeting of heads of medical missions abroad, Dr. Michael Cabrera Laza explained that 14 conferences were held related to the implementation of the National Plan for Economic and Social Development until 2030.international cooperation procedures and services provided, General Customs Regulations of the Republic of Cuba and Law 158, of the Comptroller General, the international epidemiological situation, academic training and professional improvement, advances in Cuban biotechnology and management of communications on social networks, among other interesting topics.
In this meeting, he spoke in detail, among other activities, about a meeting with the Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, who spoke about the priorities of action and the challenges facing the national health system. The Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Mariel was also visited and the new Charter of Ethics for Staff was signed.
The Director pointed out that 341 delegates participated and 37 agreements were approved that will be integrated into the work system of the Central Medical Cooperation Unit.
At the proposal of the National Union of Health Workers, the Cuban Workers Union delivered the 85th Anniversary Seal to the Central Medical Cooperation Unit, an institution responsible for the management of highly qualified human capital, scientific and technical development, and high human values and ethical principles in compliance with the international commitments undertaken by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health with other countries of the world.
The Ministry of Public Health honors Cuban medical teams in Algeria, China, Djibouti, Dominica, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Qatar, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Uruguay and Venezuela, for their discipline, organization and efficiency with which they carried out their work from July 2023 to June 2024.
In the keynote speeches of the event, Susili Morva González, member of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party and head of the Social Welfare Department, highlighted that health workers are ambassadors of life and humanity, wherever they are they are ambassadors of life and humanity, the flag of Cuba and the prestige of its social system.
He concluded that Cuban medical cooperation, inspired and idealized by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, radiates the altruistic values of the Cuban Revolution, bringing love and health to the most difficult areas of countries where there is no comprehensive health system like the Cuban one.
Over 61 years, more than 600,000 health professionals have been involved in collaboration through international missions in 165 countries, since 1963.
