Gratitude for the noble, humane, supportive and altruistic gesture that we have received: Letter from the Provincial Health Division in Santiago de Cuba
Dear residents and friends of Cuba!
Dear Cuban compatriots and brothers!
We are infinitely grateful for the effort and integrity invested in the achievement of this shipment.
The efforts and personal commitment of each one of you, broke all kinds of barriers and in a short period of time allowed the arrival at the "Antonio Maceo" International Airport of the cargo containing extremely necessary and important supplies for our province in times when the virus causing Covid-19 affects us the most, resulting in many Cuban and world families’ mourning.
The crew of Aerogaviota flight 6087, Kingston-Santiago, had the moral commitment to bring love and affection to those mostly in need. This 38 minute-journey built a bridge of solidarity and brotherhood from Jamaica to Santiago de Cuba.
Our province, located in the southeast of the island, has historically been the second city of importance in Cuba, only preceded by Havana. It has a territorial extension of 1,025.7 km2, located to the south of the Caribbean Sea, with a population of 1,048,470 inhabitants settled in all its 9 municipalities.
The health and government authorities have welcomed all supplies sent and made available to face the epidemic, as well as for the protection and biosafety in the health sector, which currently has more than 51,521 workers, of whom 10 1,941 are doctors, 2,146 stomatologists, 7,695 nursing graduates working in the province’s entire healthcare and teaching network.
Since August 2, 2021, the date on which the cargo was released, we have carried out a meticulous distribution and delivery work with the aim of reaching the places and destinations of greater complexity existing today, that is how 5 municipal hospitals, 6 provincially subordinate hospitals in the territory, 11 health and isolation centres attired for the care of Covid-19 patients from different health areas, the "Mario Muñoz" Nursing Home and the Molecular Biology Laboratory for sample processing have benefited. We were also able to deliver some supplies to Electromedical engineers and technicians who usually enter the red and isolation zones, guaranteeing proper functioning of the technological equipment according to the patients’ needs.
Our workers recognize that you perceive and are inspired by the exemplary effort made by the Cuban state and people to maintain or, if necessary, improve social achievements in the country and that, for economic reasons and the tightening of the US blockade, they are not able to fully support all these initiatives with the country’s own resources, however, Cubans tirelessly continue to struggle in the spirit that characterizes us.
Government and ICAP authorities in our province send a fraternal hug to our beloved and brave members of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Jamaica, to Jamaican friends of Cuba, Cubans residing in in this country and, in particular, to the Caribbean and Latin Travel Agency and the staff of the Embassy of Cuba for such a sensitive contribution.
We reiterate on behalf of the people of Santiago and on my own behalf the deep admiration of men and women who from a distance express respect and sympathy, exalt our values and inspire us to true triumph over this epidemic.
Kind regards,
MsC. Hector Luis Mustelier Ferrer
Director of International Relations
Provincial Health Division in Santiago de Cuba
18 August 2021