A plaque of recognition was presented on Monday to the Cuban Medical Brigade serving in the southern region of Calabria, two years after the start of this successful health mission.

Marco Papacci, president of the National Association of Italy-Cuba Friendship (Anaic), in presenting the plaque to Dr. Luis Enrique Pérez, head of the Cuban medical team, explained that «we have decided to honour them with this plaque, to express our most sincere gratitude for what they have done, what they are doing and what they will do, not only for our country, but for humanity,» he said.

The event, held in the Calabrian city of Cosenza, was attended by the Cuban ambassador to Italy, Mirta Granda, who thanked the association for its noble gesture in honouring the work carried out by health specialists from the Antillean nation.

«With this beautiful plaque from Anaic, not only the medical brigade is recognised, but also the Cuban people,» said the diplomat. She affirmed that, during her visits to Calabria, she always receives positive opinions from the population about the service provided by her country’s doctors, who are «our best ambassadors, of the heart and of humanism».

The work of the Cuban specialists, many of whom were present at this activity, «contributes to a significant improvement in health indicators, to the benefit of the Italian people,» the ambassador emphasised.

At the event, coordinated by Pino Scarpelli, member of the national secretariat of Anaic, Lorenzo Caputi, director of International Relations at the University of Calabria, also spoke, highlighting the valuable contribution of the Cuban people’s solidarity to improve health care in the region.

Dr. Luis Enrique Pérez said that the plaque presented by Anaic is an encouragement to the work of the 333 members of the Cuban Medical Brigade, located in 27 hospitals in five Calabrian provinces, who provide services in 23 specialties, mainly in the most needed places.

In his speech, the president of Anaic recalled that the collaboration agreement between the Cuban Ministry of Health and the Calabrian government was signed in August 2022, and the first 51 doctors arrived in December of that year, while the second group arrived in August 2023, and the third in January 2024.

A little over two months ago, in September this year, 66 doctors arrived in Calabria, completing the 333 Cuban doctors who provide assistance in five provinces of Calabria, including 117 in Cosenza, 55 in Catanzaro, 41 in Crotone, 77 in Reggio Calabria and 43 in Vivo Valentia, he said.

In presenting the plaque, Papacci highlighted the «talent, dedication and sensitivity» of the members of this Cuban Medical Brigade that provides solidarity aid in Calabria, which bases its work on the principles of the Cuban Revolution, demonstrating «its commitment to the defence of life».

(With information from Prensa Latina)