Cuban doctors assist China's earthquake relief efforts

Ten days after a massive earthquake toppled buildings, schools and chemical plants in China, a Cuban medical team arrived in Sichuan to assist the province’s rescue and relief efforts. The team of 35 Cuban doctors includes surgeons, orthopedists and other specialists. (People’s Daily Online, May 24)

Cuba, which benefits from a planned economy, is frequently hit by hurricanes enduring little to no casualties. The island’s central planning includes sophisticated early warning and evacuation procedures as well as relief assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters. With this experience under their belts, the Cuban government has sent this team to help a Chinese population in dire need.
José Rodriguez, surgeon and team director, said the Cuban staffers are working in two wards of the 2,300-bed hospital entirely devoted to aid quake victims. (Prensa Latina, May 26)

On May 24th, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao thanked the medical staff from Cuba for the assistance in China's earthquake relief. "On behalf the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and the people, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to you," Wen said while visiting the Cuban medical team in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua, May 24)

The foreign policy of the Cuban revolutionary government is guided by the principles of internationalist solidarity. Their involvement in relief efforts across the globe—notably in Peru following a massive 2007 earthquake and in Southeast Asia after the 2004 tsunami—shows that the Cuban government prioritizes not only its own people, but also their sisters and brothers around the world.

Imperialist countries, bound by the profit motive, cannot match such deeds. U.S. "relief assistance" is invariably a product of political calculations and interventionist machinations. Washington’s recent attempts to politicize the Myanmar cyclone disaster laid bare its imperialist agenda.

Despite a shortage of vital equipment, China has conducted an impressive mobilization in response to this massive earthquake. With the help of Cuba and other nations that have stepped forward in this time of great grief and need, China will rebuild the affected areas and continue to provide assistance to its people.

CHENGDU, China, May 28, (PL.).— Fidel Castro sent a message to Hospital No. 1 in Chengdu, Sichuan on Tuesday stating that they can count on the services of the Cuban medical brigade as long as necessary.

Dr. Jose Rodriguez, who heads the Cuban brigade assisting earthquake victims in Sichuan, delivered the message from the Cuban leader to hospital director Li Yuan Feng.

Fidel told the hospital authorities that Cuba has more well trained medical personnel eager to help the sister nation of China in the Chengdu region if the Chinese government wishes.

The 35-member group of doctors and paramedics arrived to China on May 23. Dr. Rodriguez thanked Dr. Li for the welcoming and attention received by the Cuban personnel.

The hospital where the Cubans are working is the largest in the province of 90 million inhabitants and is considered one of the 30 best in the country.

Dr. Rodriguez said that the group is ready to remain as long as necessary and to work anywhere and under any conditions.

Li Yuan Feng thanked Cuba and its leaders for their assistance in this difficult situation after the devastating earthquake and said he would see that Fidel’s message reached the country’s top authorities.

The hospital director also highlighted the excellent relations and historic bonds between China and Cuba which he said have especially been expressed during difficult times.

Li recalled that during his visit to the hospital on Saturday, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao had expressed the feeling of all Chinese in thanking Cuba and asking for the brigade members to be cared for.