Cuba offers medical expertise to Kuwait

Cuba offers medical expertise to Kuwait
Published Date: December 28, 2009
By Ben Garcia, Staff Writer

KUWAIT: Cuba plans to renew its previous bilateral agreement with
Kuwait, especially in the field of medical cooperation, once the
country's new envoy secures a formal meeting with Kuwait's Minister of
Health(MoH). Manuel Pardinas Ajeno, the new Cuban Ambassador to Kuwait
was speaking to the Kuwait Times yesterday to announce the country's
National Day celebrations that will be observed on Jan 1.

The day is commemorated in Cuba as the victory garnered by the
triumphant armed revolution against the US-backed dictator in 1959. "Our
pharmaceutical industries are booming now than ever before. We have the
technical knowhow, we have the best medical universities that educate
and train our doctors and nurses. So, I would suggest, when I have the
opportunity to meet with the Kuwaiti minister, that our proposal to
revive our medical agreements be accepted just like before," he said.

Before 1990, Kuwait used to employ Cuban nurses in some government
hospitals, but the practice ceased to exist since, he added. The Cuban
envoy mentioned, "It is similar to that of the agreement renewed with
Qatar at this point in time. But now, instead of nurses there are Cuban
doctors. This is because we have the best doctors who have studied in
our best medical universities. I think, our doctors can serve here if we
can have sign same cooperation agreements with Kuwait," he reiterated.

He also invited Kuwaiti students to receive education at huge college
campuses and acquire proper training and education in the field of
medicine. "We have huge campuses for doctors to educate or train medical
students, our campus is gradually being recognized worldwide," he added.

He emphasized the breakthrough in building several pharmaceutical
companies in Cuba which, he mentioned, has gradually gained popularity
in many countries. "Our pharmaceutical industries are booming, thanks to
genetic engineering and biotechnology. We are extending our solidarity
and support to every country that needs our help. We have people to
assist developing countries especially in health and medical issues,
especially with our neighboring countries. In return, we are also
getting something, like in
Venezuela, we are given special prices in return for their oil," he said.

Ambassador Ajeno also mentioned that three important bilateral
agreements were signed with Kuwait last month. "On November last month,
Cuba and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed three
agreements to revive our water supply systems and water treatment
plants. Projects have already commenced in Santiago de Cuba and Holguin
province," he disclosed.

Ajeno also lauded its political relations with Kuwait, placing it on the
highest level. "Generally our bilateral relations in all fields are
excellent and solid. The promotion and bilateral agreements which we
signed with Kuwait recently will further strengthen our bilateral ties,"
he said. Next year, according to Ajeno, Cuba will be working hard to
improve the country's infrastructure, especially in the development of
sea ports and airports to facilitate Cuba's economic activities and
prosperity. The co
untry also wants to develop its oil industry, mining and agriculture
sector to ensure food requirements for Cuban people.

When asked about the recent developments in Cuba with current President
Raul Castro taking over the reins from Fidel Castro, Ajeno pointed out
that no changes have taken place in terms of policy on both domestic and
foreign issues. "They are biological brothers so no policy change has
been implemented. But Raul Castro, our President, has been doing a great
deal of work for our country and for Cubans in general. The good thing
about Cuba is that a majority of our people support our government; that
is beca
use the government is moving on the right track," he emphasized.

Commenting US President Barack Obama's leadership and the policies he
has adopted in relation to Cuba, Ajeno said that their(US) central
government's has taken a 'wait and see' approach. "We are ready to
discuss issues with them," but he admitted that he was still
pessimistic. "Honestly I don't see any changes in the US policy towards
us, but we are sovereign country just like the United States, so we want
to deal with them as one country with a representative in the United
Nations. We are hoping, but no
t so much," he said.

He also mentioned that according to the recent resolution passed by the
United Nations, 187 out of 192 countries voted in favor of removal of US
sanctions on Cuba. "But United States is a powerful country, so what we
can do but 'wait and see'. They possess the veto power in the United
Nations, so we'll see," he said.
The Cuban revolution was an armed revolt that led to the overthrow of
US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista of Cuba on January 1, 1959 by the
26th of July Movement led by Fidel Castro. The Cuban revolution also
refers to the successful and ongoing implementation of social and
economic programs by the new government.

Cuba offers medical expertise to Kuwait » Kuwait Times Website (28
December 2009)
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=Njg4MzQ2MTY1