Speech of the Cuban Ambassador in the farewell of 18 members of the Cuban Medical Brigade. 280217.
Honorable Volda Lawrence, Minister of Public Health
Dr. Karen Cumming, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health
Mr Trevor Thomas, Permanent Secretary
Shamdeo Persaud, Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Key Shako, Director of Regional Services.
Mr. Seewchan, Coordinator of the Cuban Medical Brigade.
Cuban Compatriots.
Guests,
Members of the Media,
Invitees all,
Returning to the homeland with the duty fulfilled is highly rewarding.
Especially when one of the highest pillars of the Cuban revolution has been fulfilled, the duty to help other peoples of the world through solidarity and under the principle of internationalism.
I want to thank on behalf of the Cuban State Mission the work done by each of you to save lives, heal and prevent diseases, also in the training of human capital and researching. A work that had to face complex situations, sometimes in places far away from the country. A work that puts every day at risk the most precious thing that any human being has, life itself. But with Maceo's bravery, Martí's intelligence and the values instilled into our generation by Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, we are capable of doing with total detachment to profits, with humility and not claiming any recognition.
Additional words of appreciation and deep gratitude to the Guyanese Government, the Ministry of Public Health and all those entities and individuals who have given us the opportunity to contribute to raise the living standards of the people of Guyana in their efforts to have a better country by rendering health care services and improving the quality of life for all. I thank them for allowing us to continue to pay the debt of gratitude we have with our brotherly peoples, such as the Guyanese one, who have fought alongside us in important struggles as the battle against colonialism, the liberation of the African peoples or the unjust and cruel blockade imposed by successive US governments on the Cuban people.
I avail myself of this opportunity to ratify on behalf of the Cuban Government and People our firm conviction and commitment to continue strengthening our ties of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between our peoples on different fields, especially in health.
I would be grateful if the Honorable Minister could convey this message to the country's highest authorities.
Dear compatriots,
I wish you an excellent trip back home to your families and friends. I wish you success in your new endeavors and urge you, being faithful to the oath of the concept of Revolution that we took due to the physical disappearance of the Commander in Chief last November, to strengthen his legacy, with new tasks of collaboration and internationalism that so much the future claims.
Do not forget that the Homeland looks on you all proudly.
Thank you very much.