DOHA, Qatar.- There is a constant feeling among the Qatari population: no matter how far the “Cuban hospital” in Dukhan, a small town near Doha, is from home, many families find it. They prefer it.
This is the story of a growing prestige that one could talk about with pride and affection when this Sunday afternoon (local time) the Cuban delegation, which had been in the Arab country on behalf of an official, arrived at the medical center on a working visit carried out by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the party and President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
The hospital, described as a jewel, a reference for what constitutes medical care, worthy of recognition and praised in the region’s press, was – coincidentally on December 3, when the Day of Latin American Medicine was celebrated – the scene of a beautiful Meeting between the Greater Antilles delegation and 300 collaborators from which testimonies, reflections and feelings emerged.
The “Hospital de los Cubanos” – officially inaugurated on January 10, 2012 – is a modern, white and immaculately clean place. The delegation walked through the corridors and special rooms, with the hosts explaining details about how the center works. At one point during the tour, President Díaz-Canel asked about the number of beds available – he was told it was 75 – and at another time he asked about the academic pathways through which professionals can improve.
What happened next was particularly emotional: Hundreds of employees waited in an outdoor area as the dignitary congratulated them on Medicine Day. And shortly afterwards, Rody Cervantes Silva, head of the Cuban medical brigade in Qatar, told the Caribbean head of state: “It was a pleasure and an honor for us to receive you in this Cuban hospital in Dukhan, and especially on this wonderful day.” that is the “Day of Latin American Medicine”.
Rody told Díaz-Canel: “Your visit is a breath of fresh air” and reported that 1,232 health workers are working together in Qatar today. “We are spread across 13 facilities,” he said, “because the hospital is opening gradually; Here, in this center, there are 550 employees.”
The Cuban hospital – said the head of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Qatar – is fully dedicated to caring for patients with the terrible disease during the Covid-19 epidemic in 2020. “You can always count on us,” the doctor told the members of the Cuban delegation.
“We are all excited here,” said the president, who explained details of the agenda carried out by the Cuban delegation during the day: “We have developed an intensive program, he said, an official working visit to Qatar.” And he added adding that because of these things in life, the visit to the hospital coincided with the celebration of Latin American Medicine Day.
The president explained to his interlocutors that they have “become a symbol of Cuban cooperation” because what they have done together with the Qatari side over all these years is a source of pride “for all of today all the people from the leadership of the government of Qatar, with the representatives of institutions that we have spoken to, everyone is talking about you, everyone is talking about your work, the reputation of the hospital, the way the Cuban doctors and that Cuban health workers take care of the patients.”
Several employees spoke emotionally and sincerely. Their testimonies were full of gratitude for welcoming visitors on Medicine Day; They dedicated themselves to the memory of their beloved Cuba; and think about improving the health workforce; or to talk about how the staff in Qatar grew in a short period of time in such a way that they broke language and technological barriers.
“You did very well”
Towards the end of the meeting with health workers, President Díaz-Canel emphasized to the professionals the impact that their work has had on the Qatari population, as well as on the humanity and the ability of this army of white coats to face any situation at any time.
He spoke to them about the current situation in Cuba, about the complex moment that the Caribbean country is experiencing. And he also recalled the history of the fight against Covid-19 – including the heroic chapter of the vaccines themselves, with which Cuban science and medicine saved an entire people.
“This shows the value of Cuban medicine and the Cuban health system,” said the dignitary. who also appreciated with regard to the health workers: “They were prepared; You have had the experience of facing adversity; “The majority have carried out other internationalist missions.”
After reflecting on the fact that our employees faced a variety of challenges – including adapting to the different culture of a friendly country and getting to know a demanding healthcare system, for which they also had to defend their knowledge – the first secretary of the central party committee emphasized : “You did it. I would say even more: you did very well. I do not say this superficially, because today you are gathered on a day like this; “It just so happens that everyone told us, everyone we spoke to today.”
Before saying goodbye to his compatriots, Díaz-Canel Bermúdez received as a gift a plaque with the map of Qatar, given to him by the Hamad Medical Corporation, a company that includes all the public hospitals in the Arab country under his command. .
“With all my heart I congratulate you on Medicine Day,” the Cuban dignitary wrote in a large book for visitors, who did not miss that a referral hospital like the one that emerged in the city of Dukhan “shows that there is a better world. “possible” and represents a tribute to the legacy of friendship established by His Highness Father Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.