In a
meeting with his Surinamese counterpart Lygia Louise Irene
Kraag-Keteldijk who is on an official visit in Havana, Rodriguez
said that there were more than 400 Cubans working on collaboration
programs in Haiti at the moment the earthquake shook the country and
344 of them are health experts who are already helping out the
victims of the natural phenomenon.
The Cuban official said tthe Cuban doctors, nurses and health
technicians have already set up two field hospitals, where more than
800 patients have been already assisted and some of them have even
undergone surgery.
Rodriguez said the Foreign ministry is coordinating the aid to be
sent by several Cuban entities to the neighboring country, including
medicines and doctors who will be soon sent over.
He said only two Cubans that are members of the collaboration
missions suffered minor injuries from the earthquake. He added that
the ministry maintains contact with all of its embassies to the
CARICOM nations to coordinate any possible joint help.
Irene Kraag-Keteldijk thanked the Cuban foreign minister for the
welcoming and treatment she has received since her arrival in Cuba
and said that her governement is evaluating the aid to be provided
to the Haitian people.
Irene Kraag-Keteldijk highly appreciated the Cuban help to the
Surinamese people,
especially in the medical field. She said: “25,000 of my fellow
country people have to thank this country for solving their eye
problems after having surgery.”
She also appreciated the opportunity given by Cuba to the Surinamese
people to study in the island nation.
Irene Kraag-Keteldijk said to be pleased for the upcoming official
opening of her
country's embassy in Havana, which will take place during her visit
to Cuba.
