Havana, July 20, 2020 - The 38 collaborators of the Cuban medical brigade that for three months fought against the COVID-19 in Turin, region of Piedmont, Italy, have arrived back to Cuba. At 4:58 p.m. this Monday, the plane that brought the specialists to Havana's José Martí International Airport touched down. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel welcomed the medical professionals back home via a remote video-conference.
The 38 Cuban physicians who helped face the Covid-19 during three months in Turin, returned to their country today amidst countless displays of recognition and affection. Although the members of the Henry Reeve Contingent worked in the capital of the Piedmont region, they began their return trip to Havana from the Milan-Malpensa airport in neighboring Lombardy on a direct flight of the Blue Panorama airline that took off at noon, local time.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus thank Cuban doctors
Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus praised on Tuesday the Cuban medical brigade´s work and efforts in Italy to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cuban doctors received dozens of original CR7´s jerseys signed by the own Portuguese star.
Cuban medical brigade in Italy recognized for work against COVID-19
The National Association of Friendship Italy-Cuba (Anaic), the National Coordination of Cubans Living in Italy (Conachi) and the Cuba Va collective, recognized this Sunday the work of the island's medical brigade that fought against COVID-19 in Turin. In a brief but emotional meeting held near the temporary hospital where the Cuban health professionals worked with their Italian colleagues, the national president of the Anaic, Irma Dioli, presented the 38 Cuban health collaborators with a diploma of recognition for the "laudable altruistic work given to humanity with a great example of brotherhood, solidarity and friendship.
Cuban health professionals awarded in Italy
The presidency of the Piedmont Regional Council on Monday granted an award for civil merits to the 38 Cuban health professionals who fought Covid-19 along with Italian colleagues in Turin for three months. The recognition highlights 'the role the medical team has played during the 2020 health emergency, dedication and high professionalism lavished daily caring Piedmontese patients with Covid-19.'
Farewell activities for Cuban medical brigade begin in Italy
The farewell activities of the Cuban medical brigade that for three months helped face the COVID-19 pandemic in Turin, Italy began this Saturday with a ceremony in Piazza Ernesto Che Guevara in the Italian city of Colegno. According to Prensa Latina news agency, the mayor of the small city belonging to the Turin metropolitan area, Franceso Casciano, presided over the emotional gathering in which the 38 Cuban health collaborators, the Cuban ambassador to Italy, Jose Carlos Rodriguez, and other officials of that diplomatic mission participated.