Cuba opens fifth hospital in Haiti

Brunei
2/8/2010

The fifth field hospital of the Cuban mission in Haiti has been set up in Arcahaie.

The first patient yesterday, however was the victim of a car accident near the medical center.

Cuban medical staff who were setting up the hospital, located about 15 miles northwest of here , immediately stopped their work to assist Abdiaja Joseph, who suffered serious injury to his right leg kneecap.

Though it is considered a field hospital, the center is equipped to give excellent medical assistance in call cases, a spokesman of the Cuban staff said.

Medical services include a surgery unit, an intensive therapy room, a lab, hospitalisation and rehabilitation areas, among other specialities.

Twenty-six Cuban medical staff and Haitian doctors graduated who graduated from Cuban work in the field hospital.

Similar medical units were set up in Leoganne, Jacmel, Carrefour and Croix des Bouquets to support the work of the Cuban doctors in three medical centers in Port of Prince – La Paz, La Renaissence and Ofatma.

Meanwhile in neighbouring Santo Domingo, Dominican Vice President Rafael Alburquerque said his government will continue supporting Haiti as long as that country’s authorities consider it appropriate.

Dominican official sources said Alburquerque at a recent meeting with Haitian President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jean Max Bellerive, he informed them of preparations for a World Summit on Haiti’s reconstruction scheduled for April in Santa Domingo

President Leonel Fernandez said cooperation and humanitarian aid for Haiti will go on as long as the people needed it and the government determines so, the vice president added.

Preval has thanked the Dominican government for their continued support.

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For more than four decades, the United States has tried to isolate Cuba, economically and diplomatically.

When we look at Cuba news, we see an increasingly public and vigorous debate about the economy. We see the nations of the region conducting ordinary and even extraordinary relations with Cuba. What we don't see is a story line involving the United States, the effectiveness of U.S. policy, or even much of a presence or a role as the possibilities of change unfold.

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"This top ten list is a powerful reminder to Congress and all Americans that sanctions against Cuba do nothing but violate American values, cost American jobs, stain our image overseas, and breach our basic rights," said Sarah Stephens of the Center for Democracy in the Americas. "As Cuba enters a new era, so should America, and replace our policy of isolating Cuba with one favoring engagement, travel and trade."