Dominica, Cuba signs cooperation agreement to strengthen health sector

Dominica: Cuba and Dominica signed a new Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and New Investment in Health of the Commonwealth of Dominica to boost the health sector of the countries.

The agreement was signed by the Cuban Ambassador to Dominica, Ulises Arranz Fernández, and the Minister of Health Dr Irving McIntyre. The signing took place in the assembly hall of the Dominica-China Friendship hospital, Roseau, the capital of the country.

Both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Health of Dominica expressed their appreciation for the Cuban collaboration provided in health matters during all these years, without interruption, despite the limitations imposed on Cuba by the blockade of the government of The USA; as well as the training of human resources, which they said, has contributed to the development of Dominica. They also mentioned the excellent state of relations between the two countries.

The Ambassador of Cuba began his words by thanking on behalf of the people and government of his country, the approval in the Chamber of the Assembly (parliament of Dominica), just 24 hours before, of a Motion that calls for the end of the blockade and requests the exclusion Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

He said that Cuba will always be grateful for the support it has had from Dominica in the battle to end the blockade. He made an account of the collaboration in health in this country, since it began in 1997 and reported that with the new agreement the teaching is expanded, by adding to medical assistance, teaching.

He expressed that the signing of the agreement is part of the actions planned to continue promoting excellent bilateral relations and commemorating the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Present at the event were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Relations with the Diaspora, Dr Kenneth Darroux; the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Welfare and New Investment in Health, with particular responsibility for Community and Home Care, Kent Edwards. Also present were the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, José Durabio Moros Savelles and the Minister Counselor of that diplomatic representation, Luis José Quijada García; the Consul of the Republic of Cuba, Miriam Martín Posada; the Head of the Permanent Cuban Brigade of Health Collaborators, Dr Isolina López Cardoso; a broad representation of Cuban collaborators and senior officials and health professionals from Dominica.