Cuba plays key role in Pakistan quake aid

[Mika]

Cuba plays key role in Pakistan quake aid

Published Dec 14, 2005 - Now, as temperatures plummet, hundreds of thousands remain at risk of extreme suffering and death.
While a variety of groups have rushed tents, food and medical care to the survivors, it hasn't been enough.

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Socialist Cuba, which by contrast is a relatively poor country after having been blockaded for almost half a century by the U.S., has sent over 1,000 doctors and nurses from its Henry Reeve International Medical Contingent. They make up the largest medical contingent working in the area.

The left-wing Pakistan Trade Union Defense Committee has tried to bring in relief supplies purchased in nearby India, but has been blocked by the Musharraf government.

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The Cuban contingent has 17 field hospitals in action and plans to set up another 13. Cuba's deputy minister of foreign affairs, Bruno Rodríguez, is responsible for coordinating Cuban efforts in Pakistan. He says the contingent has 789 doctors, about half of them specialists with experience in natural disasters, 315 paramedics, all university graduates or technicians, and 128 backup staff. This includes 80 engineers who set up the high technology that the field hospitals use--ultrasound, electrocardiograms, x-rays and clinical laboratories.

All the Cuban medical personnel live under the same conditions as their patients.

More here


The Cuban Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade is the group that offered help to the desperate N.O. victims of Katrina.

The _Bush admin refused their offer of immediate help.



Viva Cuba!

[sasha031]

1. they have their priorities straight

Human lives first and to hell with the oligarchs

[Mika]

2. Bush now has a reason to attack Pakistan - Cuba is there.

Just like Reagan did Granada. To stop that threatening Cuban expansionism.