Humanitarian Demand

Humanitarian Demand / Rafael León Rodríguez
Posted on November 22, 2013

In recent weeks we have heard some information in the United States
media about the possibility of selling medicines produced in Cuba in
that country, particularly Heberprot-P, a drug for the treatment of
diabetic foot. On the other hand, the Cuban authorities continue to
express themselves about the obstacles facing them in buying certain
medications and medical instruments produced in the US, due to the
restrictions occasioned by the politics of the US embargo on the island.
There are different opinions about this issue, both for and against,
dismissing the urgencies of those priorities which should be considered:
the diabetics in the United States who could be treated with Heberprot-P
avoiding, in some cases, dangerous amputations of their extremities, and
of patients in Cuba who can't access treatments to cure them or to
improve their quality of life because some medications and specialized
instruments produced in the U.S. can not be purchased by Cuba.
Faced with any discussion on this issue, it is important to take into
account Articles 12 and 15 of the United Nations International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the "Declaration on the Use
of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace and
for the benefit of humanity," among other things.
For all these reasons, the undersigned, Cubans and Cuban Americans,
members of independent civil society and citizens in general, affirm our
determination to support, from a vision of respect for human rights, the
possible analysis that would permit the expansion of everything related
to scientific exchanges in the areas of drug development and medical
techniques. Also, the marketing of medicines and specialized instruments
for these purposes, in order to meet the medical care needs of people
who need to be treated in both countries.

Julio Aleaga Pesant — Independent Journalist
Hildebrando Chaviano Montes — Independent Journalist
Manuel Cuesta Morúa — Progressive Arc
Siro del Castillo Domínguez — Solidarity with Cuban Workers
Gisela Delgado Sablón — Independent Libraries
Eduardo Díaz Fleitas — Pinar del Rio Democratic Alliance
Reinaldo Escobar Casas — Independent Journalist
René Hernández Bequet — Cuban Christian Democratic Party
Rafael León Rodríguez — Cuba Democracy Project
Susana Más Iglesias — Independent Journalist
Eduardo Mesa — Emmanuel Mounier Center
Marcelino Miyares Sotolongo — Cuban Christian Democratic Party
Héctor Palacios Ruiz — Liberal Union of the Republic of Cuba
Oscar Peña — Cuban Pro Human Rights Movement
Pedro Pérez Castro — Solidarity with Cuban Workers
Rosa María Rodríguez Torrado — Cuba Democracy Project
Wilfredo Vallín Almeida — Cuban Law Association

21 November 2013

Source: "Humanitarian Demand / Rafael León Rodríguez | Translating Cuba"
- http://translatingcuba.com/humanitarian-demand-rafael-leon-rodriguez/