By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Monday 8th May 2023)-The Embassy of the Republic of Cuba on Friday 5th May 2023 hosted a cocktail reception on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and St.
Kitts and Nevis, and also the 60th anniversary of the Cuban international medical collaboration. The event was held at La Casa del Habano located at Port Zante in Basseterre. Among those in attendance were Acting Prime Minister Dr.
Geoffrey Hanley; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Sharon Archibald (on behalf of Prime Minister and Minister Health Dr. Terrance Drew who was off island at the time), Press Secretary in the Office of The Prime Minister Adelcia ConnorFerlance; Junior Minister of Health Jahnel Nisbett of the Nevis Island Administration, members of the diplomatic corps as well as new resident doctors from Cuba and other invited guests including General Secretary of the St.
Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union (SKNT&LU) Precious Mills and SKNT&LU executive committee member Sean Kelly. Resident Cuban Ambassador David Rivero Perez, during his remarks, stated: “May is a month of great significance and symbolism for Cubans, especially for those of us gathered here today.
On May 10, 1995, almost 28 years ago, Cuba and St. Christopher and Nevis established diplomatic relations; from which date our countries began to develop fraternal ties.” He continued: “Since then, relations between our nations have been positive and deepened over time.
But there is another reason that fills us with joy also and we want to celebrate today, and that is, because the international medical collaboration will be celebrating 60 years soon.” According to Ambassador Rivero: “60 years that have shown the world the value of medicine in times of the Revolution. 60 years of solidarity and humanism, which have left their indelible mark on the five continents of this planet.” “Many of the extreme situations suffered during the last decades in the world, had Cuban support, and at the risk of exposing their own lives, professionals went to fight against the effects of the passage of hurricanes, earthquakes, as well as Ebola in 2014 and, more recently, Covid. On many occasions they had to work in tent hospitals to provide aid,” he added.
He also pointed out that: “Among us, there is a small representation of those who hold the honorable task of healing and saving lives, who, as our beloved Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro Ruz, would say, are an army of hope for the world. Therefore, my first words in this commemoration are addressed to them, to all health professionals, who for 60 years, have defied complex scenarios, to raise monuments of solidarity and humanism.” The Cuban Ambassador expressed “Congratulations, and may this epic feat for the health of the peoples continue.
“It is undoubtedly cooperation in Health, one of the main points that have connected St. Kitts and Nevis and Cuba during the last two decades, when in 2003 the first Cuban medical brigade was established in this Federation, although the first steps in this matter were taken since 1996.
Today we have a total of 14 professionals in this sector, whose number will increase with the next incorporation of new professionals.” The education sector was also mentioned for having also been a bulwark in strengthening the ties that unite us. “Cuba has provided professional training to more than 100 students from this nation, graduates of Cuban universities in careers in medical sciences, economics, engineering, among others; and there are over 30 young people currently studying in our country,” Ambassador Perez said.
He went on to remark that many of the graduates in Cuba today are contributing their – LOCAL NEWS – 3 knowledge to the service to this nation, in functions and positions of great relevance for the development of the Federation. “There are other targets and aspirations of common interest on issues such as climate change, human development, social integration, economic development and reducing the effects of natural disasters, on which we must continue to work.
Ambassador Perez highlighted that “Together, through cooperation and concerted action, we can confront any threat.” “Cuba, despite going through a period of many adversities and challenges, ratifies its firm commitment to maintain cooperation and solidarity with this sister nation and reiterates its willingness to expand existing ties to other areas of interest,” he noted. Permanent Secretary Dr.
Archibald expressed delight to attend the event on behalf of PM Dr. Drew as she delivered remarks to extend gratitude to the Cuban colleagues. “I just want to say that the relationship with Cuba didn’t begin just 28 years ago when papers were signed, but I understand from history when Cuba had a thriving sugar industry, many of our relatives went to Cuba in search of employment and a better life.
And so now I just want to say we’ve come full circle. We have our Cuban counterparts here and we try to make them as comfortable as we can here in the Federation. Cuba has given us so much in spite of the difficulties that they are facing.” She added: “First and foremost in terms of medicine, when our group went in 1998, we were convinced that Cuba is the maker of medicine.
And that’s why we have full confidence in the medicine from Cuba and in the medical brigade that come here to assist us. They’ve assisted us in healthcare, but not only that, but I remember years ago a contingent came from Cuba to install our first energy-saving light bulbs.
And they are experts in agriculture and other sectors. We have engineers, we have architects.” “Many of us have become professionals because of the generosity of Cuba. As a medical doctor, once we got to Cuba, we recognized the importance of healthcare and that, as was said before, good healthcare is a right, and that’s why we tap into Cuba so many times for assistance in strengthening our healthcare system,” Dr.
Archibald stated. Front Page Photo: Resident Cuban Ambassador David Rivero Perez (left) and Acting Prime Minister Dr. Geoffrey Hanley take a photo on Friday 5th May 2023 during a cocktail reception he Embassy of the Republic of Cuba on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and St.
Kitts and Nevis, and also the 60th anniversary of the Cuban international medical collaboration, held at La Casa del Habano located at Port Zante in Basseterre. (Official event photo)
