HAITI, February 11, 2010. A 50-member contingent made up of graduates from the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) arrived in Haiti to support the work done by doctors in the Caribbean nation since last January 12 when an earthquake hit this city. The young doctors are from Argentina, Peru, Honduras, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Guatemala, Ecuador and Sahrawi Arab Republic, who, among the hundreds of graduates that expressed their wishes to go and work along the Henry Reeve Brigade to save lives in Haiti. The Henry Reeve Brigade is a fast-response medical contingent created in 2005 when the Hurricane Katrina hit the US and Cuba offered its assistance. Afterwards it has worked in Pakistan and other regions around the globe whenever a natural disaster has stricken. The flag bearer of this back-up contingent was Honduran social activist and ELAM graduate Luther Castillo, who said at his arrival that they carry love and willingness to help in their backpacks. “I think that, among all, we can build hope for this people so much in need for it”, stressed Castillo and added that besides being an honor, it is also a commitment to the Haitian people, “which showed us what the struggle for freedom, which fought for its independence the first to set us the path” “Since I have African ancestors I have, as well, a personal commitment with this society that has survived despite everything that has fallen upon them: Neoliberalism, poverty, misery” said the young doctor. Up to now, there are over 20 medical centers in this city and its surroundings where Cuban doctors, members of the Henry Reeve and ELAM graduates are treating the population for free. (Cubaminrex- ACN) |