The Counselor in charge of Consular Affairs of the Cuban Embassy in Türkiye, Luis Javier Cabañas Álvarez, held a meeting with Dr. Vedat Bulut, Secretary General of the Central Council of the Türkiye Medical Association, at its headquarters located in the city of Ankara.
In the pleasant exchange, the Cuban diplomat highlighted the work carried out by the members of the Cuban medical brigade in the province of Kahramanmaraş, as an expression of Cuba's solidarity with the people of Türkiye after the earthquakes that affected this region of the Eurasian country in early February.
Cabañas explained about Cuba's policies that guarantee a free health system to the Cuban people. He affirmed that the blockade implemented by the U.S. for more than 60 years against Cuba has caused great damage to the Cuban health sector and scientific development. He pointed out that this aggressive U.S. policy was reinforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, hindering the Cuban government from acquiring medical equipment and supplies to combat this disease. The Cuban diplomat expressed his gratitude for the support that has always been given by the Turkish Association of Doctors in the struggle of the Cuban people against the US blockade.
For his part, Dr. Vedat Bulut also thanked Cuba and the Cuban doctors both in their struggle for public health despite the blockade and the health work they are doing in Türkiye after the earthquake, and affirmed that the Turkish Medical Association will maintain its support in solidarity with the Cuban people. The meeting was also attended by Onur Çuvalci, members of the Board of Directors of the Cuba - Türkiye "José Martí" Friendship Association.