Vientiane, April 18, 2025. In the face of the campaigns that distort the noble and humanitarian work of Cuban doctors, the facts speak for themselves.
In 1963, Cuba sent its first medical brigade to Algeria, marking the beginning of a collaboration that has reached 165 countries. Since then, more than 600,000 health professionals have provided services in the world's most needy areas.
A significant moment was the creation of the Comprehensive Health Program, implemented after Hurricanes Mitch and George hit Central America, based on the Primary Health Care model. This program transformed Caribbean medical collaboration and was followed by unforgettable experiences such as "Barrio Adentro" in Venezuela and "Operación Milagro."
In 2005, following the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in the United States, Cuba, at the Commander-in-Chief's suggestion, created the Henry Reeve Contingent, with more than 10,000 professionals ready to cooperate. This contingent also played a crucial role during the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, when 256 collaborators arrived in the affected states.
In 2014, the Ebola epidemic erupted in Sierra Leone, Guinea-Conakry, and Liberia. Cuba was the only country that provided assistance through permanent brigades, although the WHO and other nations were present, but for a short time. Based on our experience, we managed to concentrate the disease in those three countries without it spreading to other regions.
Once the COVID-19 pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), the first collaborators (mainly advisors) left for Venezuela on March 15 to share the limited experiences available at the time.
Cuba outlined its international medical collaboration strategy, and from that moment on, another brigade departed for Lombardy, Italy, where the epicenter of the disease was.
At the beginning of 2022, the 58th brigade was completed in 42 nations to combat the pandemic, which also marked the history of international medical cooperation that Cuba has offered to the world.
In February 2023, two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.5 magnitude, respectively, left thousands dead and caused enormous devastation in Turkey and Syria. In less than 48 hours, a brigade of 32 Cuban collaborators was formed to help save lives and aid the recovery of the victims.
Global impact of Cuban medical collaboration:
Cuban doctors have treated more than 2.3 billion people, performed 17 million surgeries, and delivered 5 million babies. In addition, an estimated 12 million lives have been saved thanks to their work.
Many leaders in Latin America and the Caraibbe as well as inAsia and Africa, whose countries are benefited by this humanitarian service have recognized the unselfish and oustanding results improving their respective health system and people life.
Embassy of Cuba