Havana, April 23 (RHC)-- The 22nd brigade of the Henry Reeve International Contingent of Doctors Specialized in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics left on Wednesday for the African country of Cape Verde.

The group of 20 Cuban collaborators is made up of epidemiologists and nurses from eight provinces and with more than 10 years of work experience, including 11 doctors with internationalist experience.

Marcia Cobas, Deputy Minister of Public Health, presented the Cuban flag to José Antonio La O, head of the brigade, who emphasized the confidence that the task would be accomplished, an example of the humanist nature of socialism.

"We will fight the pandemic, take care of ourselves and return healthy and with our heads held high," said the internationalist doctor.

The medical personnel are joining the 79 Cuban aid workers already in Cape Verde, an African island nation where Cuba's collaboration has treated nearly 1.5 million patients.

Cape Verdean health authorities have reported 68 positive cases of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, and has caused more than 178,000 deaths worldwide.