Health Minister Evaluates Health Recovery and Sends a Message

 HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 4 (ACN) José Angel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health (Minsap), chaired the systematic review to evaluate health recovery actions in the eastern provinces affected by Hurricane Melissa, the agency itself reported on its official website.

The meeting reviewed the progress of medical programs, the state of healthcare services, and the epidemiological conditions in the territories most impacted by the hydrometeorological event.

The minister highlighted the work of the sector's workers who, under difficult conditions, maintained medical care and participated in recovery efforts.

Portal Miranda conveyed a message of recognition and encouragement to doctors, stomatologists, nurses, technologists, biomedical engineers, pharmacists, and Hygiene and Epidemiology specialists, who remained in the most needed places.

The minister emphasized the participation of Medical Sciences students in evacuation, recovery, and community screening tasks, as well as the support of university professors and staff in caring for evacuees.

He also thanked the workers of the pharmaceutical industry for maintaining productions that support medicines and basic resources amidst the damages.

Portal Miranda acknowledged the solidarity of countries, agencies, and international organizations that sent donations to contribute to protecting the health of the Cuban population.

The minister assured that, despite the complexity of the period ahead, the health system will continue to seek alternatives to guarantee the vitality of services and defend health and life in any scenario.

Given its importance, the ACN reproduces the message in full:

Message from the Minister of Public Health

The impact of Hurricane Melissa in the east of the country has brought extremely difficult times, which have once again tested the dedication, commitment, and sensitivity of those who make up the National Health System.

From the first moment, our doctors, stomatologists, nursing staff, technologists, biomedical engineers, pharmacy workers, Hygiene and Epidemiology workers, and all who make up this great family have been there where they are most needed: saving lives, rescuing people, accompanying communities... In every story of pain and hope written these days, there is a mark of their effort and their will to serve.

Our sincere tribute to those who remain in clinics, polyclinics, hospitals, evacuation centers... sustaining medical care under complex conditions, often with limited resources, but with an infinite commitment to the health of our people.

The participation of our Medical Sciences students has also been admirable, having taken part in evacuation, recovery, and care tasks in healthcare institutions, as well as in community screenings. In our universities in eastern Cuba, which have become evacuation centers, professors and staff have taken a leading role in the prevention, preparation, care, and recovery of those housed within them.

We also want to extend our gratitude to the workers of the pharmaceutical industry, who have made an extraordinary effort to maintain productions that support medicines and basic resources at this time.

We also thank the solidarity of countries, and of international agencies and organizations that have shown their support and have begun to make donations to contribute to protecting the health of the Cuban population.

We are aware that the period ahead will continue to be complex, but we are sure that we have the moral strength and dedication of our people to move forward.

Even amidst the damage, our people can be certain that we will continue to seek alternatives to guarantee the vitality of services, and to defend health and life in the most diverse scenarios.
Dr.C. José Angel Portal Miranda
Minister of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba