Although all kinds of campaigns have been orchestrated against Cuba's medical aid, seeking to present it as human trafficking and slavery, the reality has not been able to be hidden, and that is that Cuban health professionals have made a difference in different latitudes of the world.

By María Josefina Arce

Although all kinds of campaigns have been orchestrated against Cuba's medical aid, seeking to present it as human trafficking and slavery, the reality has not been able to be hidden, and that is that Cuban health professionals have made a difference in different latitudes of the world.

Doctors from Cuba have gone to any remote place in the world.  They have made their knowledge available to many, not only in the face of natural disasters, but also to make a fundamental human right, health, accessible.

This has been emphasized by the Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who recently, once again, ratified the hiring of professionals from the archipelago, in view of the deficit of 14,000,500 doctors in that country.

The Mexican head of state again referred to the opposition of some to this measure, which will benefit all citizens, especially the poorest. An investigation by the authorities showed that there are entire areas of the country without any doctors, not even pediatricians and cardiologists.

But, as López Obrador has clarified, this is not the feeling of most Mexicans, who are aware of the recognition given by other nations to Cuban doctors for their professionalism, abnegation and humanism.

What is certain is that the sacrifice and tireless work of the Cubans has demolished all the lies. During the world health emergency caused by COVID 19, they were already on Mexican soil to help wherever necessary in the fight against the virus.  

Mexico thus joined other states that received support from Cuba, which was once again an example of solidarity and showed the world how much can be done if efforts and wills are united.

Cuban professionals earned the admiration and respect of governments and peoples. They fought side by side with their colleagues in those territories to face the disease caused by the new coronavirus and save lives.

In all the nations where they were present, the population mourned their departure once their mission was over. The members of those brigades today treasure the gratitude and affection of countless people around the world.

And this has always been the case, since those first professionals who in 1960 came to the aid of the Chilean people after a gigantic earthquake of gigantic intensity. Three years later, Cuban medical collaboration reached Algeria, which in almost 60 years has left indelible traces all over the planet.

The anecdotes are numerous. Many have had the privilege of being the first doctors in indigenous communities, they have shared food and medicine with their patients and forged true bonds of friendship. They have brought life and hope to every corner of the world where they have been, a reality that no cowardly campaign can hide.