Wellington, 17 may 2016.- As part of a mission to assist Fiji after the devastating effects of Cyclone Winston, a couple of doctors from the "Henry Reeves" Brigade ended their work in Suva. Epidemiologists Adrian Benitez Proenza and René Aveleira Cutiño departed back to their homeland after more than a month and half involved in diverse tasks in the Pacific Island. During their stay, both doctors worked with local health authorities and had the opportunity to exchange experiences with other colleagues from different countries.
Cyclone Winston, considered the meteorological event affecting Fiji with a greater impact registered to date, forced the island authorities to declare a state of natural disaster. Foreign aid quickly reached Suva and, as usual, international solidarity from the Cuban people was shown among them. The Fijians authorities recognized the contribution of the members of the "Henry Reves" Brigade, especially the technical advice in the surveillance of communicable disease and the preparation of databases for proper monitoring and response.
This action is part of a longstanding and special relationship of cooperation from Cuba with the Pacific Islands, which all together have at present almost two hundred young students being trained in medical specialties at Cuban universities.