The 32 Cuban specialists who provided medical care in Turkey after the devastating earthquakes at the beginning of February returned to the island this Saturday, the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) reported on social networks.
“During intense work days, where the climate, language and culture did not constitute barriers, the collaborators raised the name of Cuba high,” said a message from MINSAP on Twitter.
The Cuban collaborators, members of the “Henry Reeve” International Contingent of Doctors Specialized in Disaster Situations and Serious Epidemics, landed at the “José Martí” international airport in Havana, one month after beginning their work in Turkish territory.
Our recognition and admiration to the heroines and heroes in white coats of the “Henry Reeve” Brigade who offered their altruistic and supportive help to the brother town of #Türkiye after devastating earthquake. They make the Cuban people proud with an exalting example
Welcome to the Homeland ??! pic.twitter.com/M62neDBDNd— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) March 11, 2023
In the Cuban capital they were received by José Ángel Portal Miranda, head of MINSAP, Jorge Luis Perdomo, Vice Prime Minister of the Republic, and Jorge Luis Broche Lorenzo, member of the Secretariat and head of the Department of Attention to the Social Sector of the Central Committee of the Party .
“Now, in an emotional reception, we welcome to the Homeland the 32 Cuban collaborators who assisted the Turkish people, after the earthquakes of February 6,” MINSAP said on Twitter.
With the aim of helping the recovery of the victims of the earthquakes that left more than 50,000 deaths between Turkey and Syria, the Cuban specialists traveled last February 12. According to report of the Cuban News Agency, four days later, eight of the collaborators traveled to the Turkish town of Büyükyapalak Elbistan, where, accompanied by a translator, they worked in a medical clinic staffed entirely by Antillean personnel.
The Cuban brigade was made up of four women, 20 medical specialists and 11 graduates, including nurses, epidemiologists and service personnel, according to a report by the Prensa Latina news agency.
According to the ACN, since its founding 18 years ago, the “Henry Reeve” Contingent has provided medical care to populations affected by the earthquakes in Pakistan (2005), Indonesia (2006), Peru (2007), China (2008), Haiti ( 2010), Chile (2010), Nepal (2015), Ecuador (2016) and Mexico (2017).
