Cuba received this Thursday a donation of more than 2.2 million syringes and needles with which it will support services in institutions of the Havana Health System. The container, with cargo valued at 82,011 dollars, was delivered by Juan Tola Monroy, representative of the Bolivian Solidarity Coordinatorwhich brings together social, indigenous and peasant organizations of the Andean country.
Tola Monroy said that the donation is “a sign of Bolivia’s gratitude to the Cuban people and government for their unconditional help during the literacy campaign, the Miracle (health) Mission and for sending medical brigades to that Andean nation,” refers the state Cuban News Agency (ACN).
The Bolivian Solidarity Coordinator today delivered a donation of 2,286,000 syringes and needles to support the medical services of the Centro Habana Teaching Pediatric Hospital and other health institutions in the capital.
?https://t.co/riKmR9uMmA#CubaForLife pic.twitter.com/AidVwMkZNr
— Cuban Ministry of Public Health (@MINSAPCuba) April 14, 2022
He also explained that the solidarity charge comes from various entities and organizations of the nine departments that make up Bolivia, including the Movement of Solidarity with Cuba.
Upon receiving the shipment, the vice president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, Abel Sosa, highlighted the “enormous symbolism” of the gesture in the face of adversity facing Cuba, mainly the economic embargo applied by the United States Government against the Caribbean country. amid the pandemic situation and international crisis.
Cuba and Bolivia reestablished diplomatic relations in October 2020, after Luis Arce, from the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, became president of the South American country. Both nations had maintained close ties during the 14-year government of former President Evo Morales, but in January 2020 they were interrupted by the then interim government that took office after the alleged coup against Morales.
Last year, the Island received 135 donations from 40 countries, mostly medical supplies and equipment for immunization and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, according to official data. These aids have come from Russia, the United States, Japan, Nicaragua and Vietnam, among other countries, sent both by governments and from private groups.
Cuba is going through a serious crisis due to the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tightening of the US economic, financial, and trade embargo, and problems in national macroeconomic management.
Efe/OnCuba.