The runway of José Martí International airport was one again witness to the most touching scenes as Cuba’s President bid farewell to our heroes, who will be arriving in West Africa tomorrow to participate in the global fight against Ebola. On this occasion 83 collaborators departed for affected countries, 49 to Liberia and 34 to Guinea Conakry. Raúl embraced each member of the brigade as they boarded the plane - an embrace from 11 million Cubans, a whole island. With their flags in hand, they promised to give everything, tirelessly heal and continuously treat, and return to the homeland safe and healthy. They also sent greetings to Fidel; asked Raúl to trust them and not to worry, that they are prepared for what lies ahead. Thus, the IL-96 aircraft departed with a first class troop: 35 doctors and 48 nurses, all with more than 15 years professional experience and who have completed previous international missions, 42 % on more than two occasions. In attendance at the moving farewell were José Ramón Machado Ventura, Second Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and a vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers; Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, first vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers; Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; and Roberto Morales Ojeda, minister of Public Health. These two brigades take the total of Cuban health professionals who have joined the fight against Ebola to 256. With each one travels the message of a nation immensely proud to have sons such as them, who last night bid farewell to their families, friends, and country, to stop the frightening epidemic which is threatening the world. To all our heroes, best wishes from this beloved island.
