Cuba regrets decision of the Jamaican government to cease medical cooperation yielding to US pressures

Havana, March 7 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba reports that, on March 4, the Chancellery of Jamaica communicated to our Embassy in that country the unilateral decision of its government to terminate the health cooperation agreement that has linked both nations for decades.

With this action, the Jamaican government yields to pressures from the United States government, which is not concerned about the health needs of the Caribbean brothers.

Cuba deeply regrets that a history of fruitful and sustained collaboration that has brought countless benefits to the Jamaican people is thus belittled; the Jamaican people are now being deprived of receiving the basic and specialized health services provided by Cuban collaborators.

Given the step taken by the Jamaican government, the Cuban government has made the sovereign decision to proceed with the return of the Cuban Medical Brigade. These health professionals leave behind an indelible mark and return to Cuba with the satisfaction of a fulfilled duty and the permanent willingness to assist wherever their vocation for solidarity is required.

Cuba's work in Jamaica is an eloquent example of genuine cooperation. In just the last 30 years, more than 4,700 Cuban collaborators have provided medical assistance on the Caribbean island. Currently, the Brigade was composed of 277 professionals, whose work has had a tangible and profound impact on strengthening the Jamaican health system.

The historical results of this collaboration speak for themselves:

· More than 8,176,000 patients treated.
· 74,302 surgical operations performed.
· 7,170 births attended.
· More than 90,000 lives saved.

Likewise, through the Operation Miracle program, present in Jamaica since 2010, vision has been restored or improved for nearly 25,000 Jamaicans. Cuban cooperation has also been decisive in projects for the control and prevention of diseases such as malaria and in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The most recent example of this dedication was evident after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which severely affected the island. In those difficult circumstances, the Cuban Medical Brigade remained firmly at their posts, many of its members working for more than 72 continuous hours and actively joining the recovery tasks of hospitals and communities.

Faithful to the historic relations of brotherhood and solidarity that unite us with Jamaica, Cuba reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Jamaican people, who will always be able to count on the selfless cooperation of Cuba. (Text and Photo: Cubadebate)