The Hatuey Project, a group based in the United States, reaffirmed its commitment to solidarity with Cuba today, delivering donations to three hospitals on the Caribbean island affected by the government’s policy of strangulation.
The group, composed mostly of young people, visited two pediatric hospitals, Juan Manuel Márquez and the Willian Soler Cardiocenter, and then the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology of Cuba.
During their visits, they witnessed firsthand the effects of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by Washington on the island nation. Through their efforts and sacrifice, they were able to acquire various types of medications, including those used for cancer patients.
Among the medications delivered to the Oncology Center were ceftriaxone, ondansetron, leucovorin, cisplatin, meropen, and vancomycin as well as medical supplies.
The president of the Cuban Society of Oncology, Radiotherapy, and Nuclear Medicine, Elias Gracia, stated that the United States’ measures against Cuba directly affect cancer patient care by limiting access to essential medications, supplies and technologies for treatment.
Gracia explained that the country’s electrical power situation, along with water and transportation problems, hinders efforts to save lives, but alternatives are always sought to provide quality care.
New cases are diagnosed every day, and cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the country. There are machines and equipment with technical defects, and repairing or acquiring new ones is costly for the state, commented the head of Medical Oncology Services.
The head of the National Oncology Group pointed out that conducting financial transactions is very complex due to the sanctions imposed by Washington on Havana.
Gracia—after showing the visitors tangible examples of the hospital’s reality amidst the country’s difficult situation—expressed, on behalf of the group, gratitude for the donation from The Hatuey Project.
“What’s happening in Cuba is real,” declared the president of the Cuban Society of Oncology, Radiotherapy, and Nuclear Medicine.
During the meeting, activist and friend of Cuba, Gloria La Riva, highlighted the $53,000 contribution from the sister nation of Puerto Rico and emphasized that the Caribbean nation can continue to count on the support of the Puerto Rican people.
In the moving dialogue, the project members received answers to their questions and, at the same time, expressed their joy in sharing these donations with Cuba, thus reaffirming their solidarity with the largest island of the Antilles.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
