Indian portal praises work of Cuban doctors in Türkiye

New Delhi, Feb 21 (RHC) The work of Cuba's Henry Reeve Medical Brigade in Türkiye to help the population of that country affected by strong earthquakes is highlighted today by the Indian portal Peoples Dispatch.

Between February 12 and 19, the Cuban health workers helped more than 260 patients, providing services from primary care to intensive care and pediatric surgery, the site praised.

According to the Havana embassy in Ankara, Cuban healthcare workers performed 13 major surgeries, including four pediatric ones, the publication added.

The provision of care in Türkiye continues to be affected by the severe damage caused by the tremors, the relentless pressure on existing health services, and the cold season, the source noted.

In these circumstances, the contribution of local and international medical volunteers is invaluable, it noted.

Peoples Dispatch referred to the reflections of Dr. Abel Aguilar Rodriguez, one of the Cuban doctors currently working in Türkiye, on the primary care provided to the people affected by the earthquakes in the Kahramanmaraş region, in a report to the Cuban Ministry of Public Health.

According to the report, the Cuban multidisciplinary health team carried out the kind of fieldwork they know very well from home, making sure everyone has access to the health care they need.

Most of the team of Cuban professionals who arrived on Turkish soil belonged to the International Contingent of Doctors Specialized in Disasters and Serious Epidemics "Henry Reeve", and have previous experience in international solidarity work.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, 69 percent of the Cuban health workers in Türkiye served in other countries and this prepared them for the linguistic and organizational differences they might encounter during their current mission.

Ruber Ortiz Legra, a specialist in general medicine who participated in relief work for Covid-19 in Azerbaijan, considered that experience invaluable to boost the mission in Türkiye and ensure that Cuba and its doctors are once again recognized as transmitters of international solidarity. (Source: Prensa Latina)