Namibia, May 22nd, 2020- A few days before the celebration of Africa Day, on May 25th, the governments of Namibia and Cuba signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the area of health.
The Ambassador of Cuba to Namibia, Sidenio Acosta, signed the agreement on behalf of the head of the Island's Ministry of Public Health, José Ángel Portal. Meanwhile, on the Namibian side did it, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Mr. Kalumbi Shangula.
The representatives of both countries highlighted the cooperation in this sector, developed officially for 30 years, starting from the independence of Namibia. However, they agreed that, since the liberation struggle, SWAPO and Cuban internationalist forces in Angola have already cooperated in the field of health.
In this regard, they recalled the attention given by Cuban medical personnel to the survivors of the Cassinga Massacre, a few minutes after the attack on that Namibian refugee camp ended. This act was perpetrated on May 4th, 1978 by racist South African forces. They also highlighted the care provided in Cuba to hundreds of children who survived that genocide.
After Namibia's Independence, more than 4,300 Cuban aid workers, in various sectors, have provided their services in this country. Most have been Cuban health professionals. Currently, 93 Doctors, Electromedical Engineers and Pharmacy Graduates, 21 Architects and Engineers and 6 Aquaculture Specialists work in Namibia.
This new agreement strengthens the historic ties of friendship and cooperation that unite the peoples and governments of the two nations. Likewise, it strengthens the links between Cuba and the African continent, when 53 years of the foundation of the Organization for African Unity, currently the African Union, are celebrated.