As Haiti’s fight against cholera continues, it appears Cuban doctors leading the way when it comes to aid.
Over the last two years, Haiti’s earthquake and subsequent cholera epidemic have ravished the country’s population, but doctors from Cuba have never waned in their medical support for the country.
The Cuban medical missions have been going to Cuba for more than 50 years and in October of 2010, these doctors confirmed that cholera was to blame for the increased number of deaths.
More than 476,000 people in Haiti have been sickened by cholera, with 6,600 people having died. The United Nations has called this the highest rate of cholera in the world.
With help from donors and diplomats, the Cuban medical mission has been able to stay in Haiti and treat those affected by cholera, and remain vigilant in their efforts to improve the island’s, shared with the Dominican Republic, health care system.
Since 1960, Cuba has sent doctors all over the world in an act of “medical diplomacy” to help those in remote, rural areas receive health care. Doctors have been sent to Africa, Venezuela, and Haiti, to name a few.
