National Delegate Conference 19-22 June
2007
Cuban health and education - a shining example
|
|
| Angela Lynes |
Conference congratulated the union on its 'Made in Cuba' pack about
the country's unique health service and its outreach in the Caribbean
and Pakistan and agreed to continue joint work with the Cuban Solidarity
Campaign and encourage UNISON branches to forward the campaign using
the material.
Angela Lynes described the associated DVD as a wonderful record
of the real contribution made by Cuban doctors and health workers
to the relief effort after the Pakistan earthquake and a record
of the success of operation miracle in which over the last three
years more than half a million people in which over from Latin America
and the Caribbean have received sight saving operations in Cuba.
"It's a remarkable place, a shining example in the area of public
services, where health and education are priorities for the Cuban
government.", said Angela, who has herself visited the country.
"Despite the blockade, Cuba has health statistics which are on
a par with many countries in the developed world. Life expectancy
is the same as in the USA, and infant mortality rates are better
than some places in the UK."
Angela praised Cuban people's commitment to solidarity as one of
their greatest strengths, "A commitment to assisting other peoples
who find themselves in difficult circumstances A remarkable testament
to the humanity of the Cuban people. In the last fifty years, over
100,000 Cuban health workers have taken part in Cuban health programmes
in 91 countries. It's the only country in the world with a permanent
medical corps on standby to respond to emergency situations anytime,
anywhere in the world."
top
|
