Havana, November 7 (RHC) --Cuban Minister of Public Health (Minsap), José Ángel Portal, on Tuesday highlighted the achievements in 25 years of his country's medical collaboration in Guatemala, which he described as an example of solidarity and service to others.

A quarter of a century ago, one of the most beautiful pages of Cuban medical collaboration in Central America began to be written, he said on the Minsap website.

He recalled that it was the leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, who made the courageous decision to send a contingent of doctors to Guatemala at a tragic moment, when Hurricane Mitch hit the region.

In these two and a half decades, the medical collaboration of the Caribbean island achieved great advances in the health of the communities of that Central American nation and currently more than 400 Cuban health professionals work in 16 of the 22 departments of that country, he said.

Portal highlighted "the love and dedication they practice every day. Their vocation and commitment are inspiring examples of solidarity and service to others. We also recognize the nobility of the Guatemalan people, who have welcomed our doctors as brothers and sisters and have contributed to the success of this mission".

On this anniversary "we reaffirm our commitment to continue contributing to the health of the people of the world and, of course, of the Guatemalan people," he said.

The Minister emphasized that "solidarity is rooted in our ethics and in our behavior, and we will continue to work tirelessly to improve the quality of life of those who need it most.

In this context, he thanked Guatemala "for having been with Cuba in these 25 years of medical collaboration, for allowing us to be part of their work teams and their families" and for the teachings received that "have enriched us as professionals and as human beings". (Source:PL)