Operation Miracle aids Panama poor
Panama, Nov. 23/2005 (Prensa Latina) Happy and emotional, low income Panamanian families applauded the launching of Operation Miracle in Panama, allowing free ophthalmologic surgery in Cuba for more than 48 thousand people beginning next week.
The presentation of Operation Miracle, a joint Venezuela-Cuba project, was held at San Isidro Health Center by First Lady Vivian Fernandez de Torrijo.
This project will benefit people from the poorest sectors with first quality, totally free service for surgical intervention in cases such as cataracts, strabismus, pterigium and ptosis palpebrate, the First Lady noted.
She also said this Cuban goodwill gesture is in accord with agreements signed by both ministries of health.
Cuban Ambassador to Panama Carlos Garcia Trápaga said the ophthalmologic surgery campaign for poor people in Panama is an occasion of great happiness for both countries.
Panamanian Health Vice Minister Dora Jara told Prensa Latina that some 12,000 people may be assisted each year for a total of 48,000 in four years.
In a visit to Havana Dora Jara interviewed several patients who expressed their great satisfaction for the care provided by Cuban specialists.