Geneva, May 26 (RHC-PL) -- Angola's Minister of Health Jose Van-Dunem described as a 'complete injustice' the U.S. State Department's decision to include Cuba on its annual list of state sponsors of terrorism.

"A generous, hospitable, and altruistic country does not deserve an injustice like that," Van-Dunem told Prensa Latina news agency during his participation at the World Health Organization Assembly, which concluded its sessions over the weekend at the Palace of Nations.

The minister recalled Cuba's tremendous contribution to the liberation of Angola, when the African nation was invaded by South African and Zairean troops, backed by the Western powers.

'Seventy percent of our nation's public health network was destroyed because of the war and it stayed like than for many years. At the moment and with Cuba's support, we have been able to rebuild 55 percent of the network,' said Van-Dunem.

The Angolan minister of Health recalled that Cuba is also contributing to the training of health professionals, for which five medical faculties have been created in Angola. The Caribbean island nation also offers 100 scholarships annually for young Angolans to study medicine and other related specialties here in Cuba.

Van-Dunem said that 2000 Cuban doctors are currently offering their services in Angola, many of whom are distributed in 70 municipalities as part of what is called 'the trio program', formed by a doctor, a statistician, and a nurse. The teams are working in highly populated areas and their results thus far are extraordinary.

The minister, who is participating in the 67th World Health Organization Assembly (WHO), chaired by Cuba, pointed to some of the top priorities of his government in terms of health care. He mentioned, for instance, the fight against communicable diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS, and reducing the mother and child mortality rates.