The Embassy of Cuba in Ghana received the Health Legendary Honors Award (HELEH) Africa 2018, for the quality and excellence in Health Services, in the Embassy of the Year modality, during an emotional Act held at the Kempinski hotel in Accra.
The award received was based on the recognition of Cuba's work for the provision of high-quality healthcare services in many countries of the continent, and the preparation of numerous African specialists in the health sector, who have studied and continue to study in the largest island in the Caribbean Sea. The recognition of Cuba, given in Ghana, is an expression of the respect acquired by Cuban Medicine and its professionals in that continent and in the world.
The Ambassador of Cuba, Pedro Luis Despaigne González, in his words of thanks, highlighted the historical ties of Cuba with the continent and with Ghana in particular. After presenting the members of the Cuban Medical Brigade (BMC), recently arrived in Ghana from their vacations, he reiterated Cuba's commitment to continue his collaboration in that sector. On behalf of the BMC, Dr. Aldris Izquierdo Labrada, also highlighted the commitment made with the Ghanaian people, and when asked how they had been received, the Cuban doctor commented that they felt in Ghana as in their own home.
The Cuban diplomat also announced that in 2019, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Ghana-Cuba diplomatic relations, more than two hundred young Ghanaians will conclude their medical studies in Cuba, who for their discipline and dedication enjoy the recognition of the Cuban teaching authorities.
The HELEH Africa Prize instituted at the initiative of the King of the traditional Ashanti area, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, had its first edition in 2017. In this second, it was handed over for the first time to a country, making Cuba the first creditor of recognition. Other recipients of the prize in its corresponding categories were the wife of the President of Ghana, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo; the newspaper "Daily Graphic"; other companies and people related to the medical and pharmaceutical sector, both Ghanaian and African in general.
Also participating in the activity was the Coordinator for Cooperation with Cuba in the Ministry of Health of Ghana, Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, who was trained in Cuban classrooms, and the collective of the Embassy of Cuba. The event was covered by the media.