Speech of the Cuban Ambassador - designated to Sri Lanka, Patricia Lázara Pego Guerra, as Chief Guest, at the Induction of the 33rd President of the College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka.
Good evening!
Your Excelencies Former Presidents of Sri Lanka; The Guest of Honour; The President and the Council of the College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka; The past presidents, fellows and members of the College; Distinguished guests; Ladies & Gentlemen.
First, let me say that it is a pleasure to be here today at the induction of the 33rd President of this College.
It is great to notice the progress work done and results of the college during its long journey to provide a highly qualified health system to Sri Lanka.
This kind of professional college is important not only for promoting postgraduate studies in the field of Medical Administration but also for fostering professional advancement of Medical Administration, partnerships and scientific exchanges with colleagues from other nations. Therefore, I am very pleased to be with you at one of the major events of the College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka, today, whose theme “Healthcare Leadership with Artificial Intelligence” evidences the recognition of the importance of using AI for the development of the latest technology of the world. I feel that it is an encouraging theme and young health administrators will be inspired by this initiative and will apply Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Leadership in order to take the health system to a higher level of performance.
I have no doubt that the citizens of Sri Lanka will be in the capacity to offer a more efficient and more effective services with the appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence in a gradual manner, once it is implemented.
Cuba and Sri Lanka enjoy a long standing and fruitful history, not only of friendship and mutual solidarity, but also of cooperation both at the bilateral and multilateral arenas.
Speaking about health sector, we have public health care systems, with universal care and services for all citizens that emphasize in preventive care and community - based services.
Cuba, a small island with approximately 11 million inhabitants, represents an example of well - developed healthcare system and policies, which is comparable to developed countries of the world.
Since 1959, Cuba has made health a national priority, also education. The success of Cuban healthcare system largely depends upon our strong primary health care system, based on the model called "The family doctor and nurse”, with free healthcare services; the proper immunization, the robust public health policies, the control of infection spread and non-communicable diseases and its solid concept of humanities, among other aspects.
In parallel, Cuba has worked very hard to develop genetic, biomedical and pharmaceutical industries to the aim of building a sustainable economic sovereignty.
All these results, amid the critical challenges caused by the US economic, commercial and financial blockade against the Cuban Revolution and its people, which is now worse than ever in history, as you can realize when following the news.
As part of Cuba foreign policy, since 1963, my country provides health cooperation abroad, in different categories, with Medical Brigades or Emergency Contingents.
At present, they are working in 56 countries of the world, with more than 24 000 health professionals, including doctors, nurses, biomedical engineers as well as laboratory and pharmacy personnel.
Being the Cuba Ambassador - designated to Sri Lanka, with only 3 months in your beautiful country, I am also very proud to say that Sri Lanka people was benefited with Cuban medical assistance, for example in Ampara, Eastern Province, and (1991-1992) and in Matara, Southern Province, immediately after the Tsunami of 2004.
At the same time, please, kindly allow me to take this opportunity to mention and recognize the presence in Sri Lanka health system of a group of prestigious Sri Lanka doctors graduated in Cuba, where they learned the best of our medical schools and Health System.
After completing their studies there, they returned to their motherland to share knowledge and experiences with other colleagues, formed either in Sri Lanka or in other countries, always in benefit of the Sri Lanka people.
Ladies & Gentlemen, while thanking the President of the College, Dr. Rukshan Bellana for inviting me for this grand occasion, I wish you all kind of success on your sensible social mission and a yearlong program to uplift the status of the college. And may all the health administrators have the opportunity to achieve the College and personal objectives, enabling them to contribute to the advancement of the healthcare of Sri Lanka.
I wish you all a pleasant evening.
Thanks very much.
(EmbaCuba Sri Lanka)