Members of the European section of the “Nuestra América” (Our America) convoy have reaffirmed their commitment to the island during a visit to the “Ramón González Coro” Gynecological-Obstetric Teaching Hospital in this capital. They also recalled the support received from Cuban medical personnel during the most critical moments of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrea Santor, a member of a Cuba solidarity organization, described her work as an interpreter for the Cuban doctors who arrived in Turin, Italy — at the very height of the health emergency — as a privilege. She emphasized that a country with fewer resources than those in Europe was there, offering its selfless assistance.
“It is the duty of all free people in the world to do something for Cuba; this country helped us during a critical moment for us,” affirmed the visitor. She acknowledged that the hardships Cubans endure are scarcely imaginable from the outside, and that what they have brought from Europe is merely a drop in the ocean compared to what the island has contributed to the rest of the world.
The visitors also expressed their gratitude for the daily efforts undertaken by the Cuban people, noting that they serve as an example that transcends this specific year and these current circumstances. They added that simply reaching the island under the current conditions of siege constitutes an achievement in itself.
During the gathering, Raiza Ruiz, a member of the institution’s gynecology team, expressed her pride and satisfaction regarding the solidarity shown by their international friends. She highlighted that, among health professionals, the most deeply appreciated quality is a profound sense of belonging; consequently, she extended her recognition to them and expressed her gratitude to all those present. European activists—hailing from countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom—interacted with healthcare professionals, expressing their gratitude for the latter’s contribution to safeguarding lives amidst a context made all the more complex and exacerbated by the policy of “maximum economic pressure” imposed by Washington.
Ailuj Casanova Barreto, Head of Medical Care at the Ministry of Public Health, participated in the welcoming ceremony and accompanied the activists on a tour of the facility. During the tour, the visitors were able to witness firsthand the dedication of the medical staff and the difficult conditions under which they carry out their work, as well as the noble mission of love and humanism that this collective performs despite the numerous limitations they face in maintaining the vitality of their services.
IMAGE CREDIT: Rodney Rafael Jimenez Muñoz | Photos: Luis Jiménez Echeverría
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
