In Cuba doctors are prepared with that extra on sensitivity and humanism which are so necessary in our countries, the Central American diplomat said during his visit to the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM).

He recalled how “we saw this project born in Cuba and sent to a group of youngsters from Morazan to prepare in this school, which we contribute to select and now, 10 years later, this is a consolidated reality,” he said.

After describing Shafik Handal, a leader of the FMLN, now deceased, as an enthusiastic promoter of the ELAM project in El Salvador, Martinez pointed out that in his country they are already enjoying the results of it “because you start seeing in doctors in El Salvador a different approach, closer to reality and humanity.”

He also said he was happy to find out that about 20 his countrymen graduated from ELAM, were part of the Henry Reeve Brigade, sent by Cuba to Haiti to strengthen the work of the Cuban physicians who were there before the earthquake of January 12.

He then spoke briefly with Irvin Ottoniel Arias and Carlos Ortiz, two Salvadorans doctors graduated in Cuba, who after serving for a month in Haiti, are passing through Havana before returning to San Salvador.

Previously Dr. Midalys Castilla Martinez, vice-rector of ELAM, gave the visitor a detailed explanation about the current situation and prospects of the institution where there are currently studying some 10 000 young people and 451 have already graduated.

Martinez Bonilla, who arrived in Cuba on Thursday, paid tribute to the Cuban National Hero José Martí, in the Revolution Square and on Saturday he will inaugurate the embassy of his country in Havana.