Finlay and the glow of Latin American Medicine Day

By Marta Gómez Ferrals/ACN special service.

Among Cubans, December joyfully opens its doors with the celebration on its third day of Latin American Medicine Day, in honor of the birth of the outstanding scientist and compatriot Carlos J. Finlay on that date in 1833.

Born in the city of Camagüey and baptized with certainty under the real name of Juan Carlos Finlay y Barrés, not Carlos Juan, as most assumed until recently, it must be accepted to name him simply with his original signature of Carlos J. Finlay, even if it seems inappropriate due to the rules of the language.

Nothing satisfies his countrymen today more, 190 years after his coming into the world, than paying homage to this giant of national science at its dawn, whose nickname is the banner of advanced thinking, struggle and glory, in all times.

An eminent epidemiologist, he contributed to Cuban and universal medicine with the irrefutable discovery of the transmitting agent of yellow fever, whose epidemics devastated the region of the Americas and other enclaves of the planet at that time, an outstanding achievement that they tried to take from him in a dastardly, shameful and cruel manner.

In the tireless and all-terrain exercise of his profession, and as an illustrious member of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, he also carried out valuable studies that favored therapeutics against childhood tetanus and ophthalmology.

This brilliant scientist and at the same time simple and kind doctor, died in Havana on August 20, 1915, after a distinguished life and setting in a distinguished way an example to be followed and always honored, not only by his professional colleagues, but by all the town.

The transparent image of Dr. Finlay, with his selfless dedication, his creativity and fighting spirit in the face of compromises and falsehood, today strengthen the women and men of his profession, and all Cubans, in the difficult times through which the nation transit.

The world shaken to its roots by the barbaric massacre in Palestine, which imperial interests fuel for the sake of their war industries and their hegemonism, is the opposite face of the humanism that for years they have been offering in many "dark sides of the Earth" the various detachments of Cuban doctors who have provided invaluable health services there.

Cuba, right now, when within its extensive coastlines it is suffering the consequences of a brutal blockade, intensified by Donald Trump's government, has not renounced its vocation of solidarity with other peoples of the planet, just as the Commander taught them. in Chief Fidel Castro since the first mission carried out in Algeria in 1963.

The love and professional services of doctors, nurses, and all health professionals, continues to be felt through the fulfillment of agreements with sister countries, or emergency aid, despite the fact that some contracts in Latin America were terminated, as happened at the time with those of Brazil, Bolivia and Ecuador, after changes of governments.

But in sister nations like Mexico, which has also offered Cubans unrestricted support in the face of adversity, the contribution of the islanders in providing health care to their most humble inhabitants has been felt and valued.

Those who consider the impact caused by the blockade on the functioning of the national health system, one of the most precious jewels of the Revolution since its triumph, are not wrong.

A brutal impact that has caused and is causing pain and death, despite the enormous efforts and political will deployed in the country.

Due to the impact of the imperial siege, which has reached hospitals, polyclinics and family doctors' offices, the pharmacy network, with the noticeable lack of medicines, supplies, and essential materials, the decline in many vital services is evident, although Cuban public health is not stopped and assumes with integrity the fulfillment of its duty, organizing itself better, protecting the vulnerable more, assuming emergencies...

Doctors and other professionals, and the health system created by the government, have not left the hand of their fellow human beings at times when drama and pain have reached some family in their land.

Cuba denounced this situation caused by the blockade in all its harshness again before the world, recently, when the condemnation of the criminal policy of the United States was once again submitted to analysis and approval at the UN.

And despite how heartbreaking some of the stories necessary to ratify the arguments were, this Island did not go there in a plaintive tone, nor did it go begging, as José Martí said one day, it claimed with its head held high and showed itself to be a sister, which was recognized by everyone.

In the fulfillment of this altruistic, supportive and creative resilience behavior, the dedication and sacrifice of the women and men who on December 3 also have reasons to celebrate has a lot to do with it.

There are reasons for everyone to feel festive with the people, from those who accompanied their compatriots in the terrible and painful days during COVID-19, caring for the seriously ill, to the scientists who created new medicines and the wonderful Cuban vaccines.

Their countrymen love both those who stood firm at the foot of the battle fighting against the ravages of the disease within Cuba, and those who went to collaborate for the same reason with other peoples of the world.

And there is natural and simple satisfaction that our territory, for many years and at the initiative of the Leader of the Revolution, created the Latin American School of Medicine, by its acronym ELAM, training essential doctors for the region and other parts of the planet.

Not even the fierce blockade has managed to stop the operation or erase the symbolism of a work of such humanity built in the largest of the Antilles.

To the worthy heirs of the examples of Carlos J. Finlay, Joaquín Albarrán, Laura Martínez de Carvajal, Pedro Kourí, Ernesto Che Guevara and Manuel Piti Fajardo, among so many outstanding professionals, the honor and love of all will once again be demonstrated. Congratulations. (Photo: Archive)