Health Should Be a Right for All, Says Cuba

CUBA, March 29, 2007.- At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Cuba stressed that the right to health care continuous to be one of the most important challenges for humanity.

The Cuban representative, Rafael Garcia Collada, said this problem must be solved by struggling against poverty and giving medical care to low-income people, according to Prensa Latina news agency.

Garcia Collada said sharing what Cuba has without expecting anything in return is at the center of Cuba's internationalist vocation. He also reminded that almost 30,000 healthcare professionals give services in more than 60 Latin American, Caribbean, African and Asian countries.

The representative said Cuba conceived of a comprehensive health care program after hurricanes George and Mitch in 1998. Doctors and paramedic brigades are sent to the most affected areas of almost 30 nations.

In 2005, a contingent specialized in disasters and epidemics was created to be able to go anywhere to assist victims. Almost four thousand collaborators have participated.

He also highlighted the agreement signed by both presidents Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez for Cuba to provide medical assistance to patients with eye problems. The goal is to treat 6 million patients over 10 years.

Garcia Collada criticized Bush's plan for the annexation of Cuba ---passed in May 2004 and reinforced with new measures--- which includes policies designed to lure Cuban medical professions abroad to come to the United States. (Cubaminrex-ACN)