Global Health News

Date: Tuesday May 19, 2015 @ 7pm
Location: Room 1058 Mona Campbell Building, 1459 LeMarchant Street, Halifax.
Featuring Dr. José de Jesús Portilla García

Free event/donations accepted. All funds raised go to CNC's Cuba for West Africa Fund.

The Nova Scotia Cuba Association is pleased to welcome Dr. José de Jesús Portilla García to Halifax  on Tuesday,  May 19.  Dr. Portilla Garcia is taking part in a nation-wide tour organized by the Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC) to discuss the invaluable contribution of the Cuban medical brigades to the global fight against Ebola in the West African nations of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Standing side-by-side with the peoples of West Africa, more than 450 Cuban doctors and nurses – chosen from more than 15,000 volunteers - went to West Africa and joined the struggle against Ebola. The Cuban medical mission was by far the largest sent by any country.

As Jorge Lefebre Nicolas, Cuba’s ambassador to Liberia, declared: “We cannot see our brothers from Africa in difficult times and remain there with our arms folded.”  At the September 16, 2014 meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Cuban representative Abelardo Moreno declared: “Humanity has a debt to African people. We cannot let them down.” Even the Wall Street Journal stated: “Few have heeded the call, but one country has responded in strength: Cuba.”  

Internationally recognized for their unique and successful model of medical internationalism, with tens of thousands of medical personnel stationed around the globe, Cuba has been at the forefront of disaster medical relief for decades. Always the first to send the most when disaster strikes, including to Indonesia, following the Tsunami and to Haiti and Pakistan following the earthquakes, Cuba consistently punches above its weight when it comes to medical relief work.  Come to see why Cuba’s unique medical brigades are renowned worldwide for their contribution to global health and friendship between nations.

About Dr. Portilla Garcia: Dr. Portilla García has considerable experience in and knowledge of Cuba's medical internationalist missions across the globe. He has had a distinguished career. Highlights include: chief of Cuban medical personnel during Cuba's internationalist mission in the former Republic of Congo (1974) and Angola (1983-85); head of PCC’s Department of Heath for the province of Havana and director of the Department of Bilateral Collaboration in the Ministry of Public Health.  Currently, he oversees Cuba's medical missions in 15-countries from the Americas to Asia.  Dr. Portilla  García frequently represents Cuba at various international conferences and gatherings.

Join us!  For more information or to get involved contact: isaney@hotmail.com