GUATEMALA, August 25. Guatemalan graduates from the Havana Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) met here to discuss experiences and their future entrance into the local health system. The meeting, sponsored by the Cuban Medical Brigade with support of the national Public Health and Social Works Ministry, gathered 130 medicine doctors from the first three ELAM promotions. Cuban Ambassador to Guatemala Omar Morales called the meeting a key step to keep alive a dream started ten years ago when the school opened for youth of poor sectors in the region. He reminded that Cuban leader Fidel Castro inspired this program to train doctors able to assist their communities and become example for their peoples. Cuban Coordinator Jose Ramon Ruiz said that the first 266 Guatemalan graduates have already joined the national health system, with 177 of them working in state hospitals. Lisando Moran, director of the Health Aid System, offered the graduates jobs in 45 Guatemalan municipalities. The doctors also discussed post-graduate courses and agreed to set up their own organization to keep contact and relations with national health authorities.( Cubaminrex- PL).
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