Beijing.–Yours is undoubtedly a mission that has its peculiarities, its particularities, and also has a number of important contributions, said First Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, to seven of the eight medical specialists who, in provinces far from the capital, are continuing a program initiated in 2004 on the initiative of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.
From the Cuban Embassy in Beijing, via videoconference, the doctors told the president about the services they provide, their acceptance among the population, the communication they establish when Chinese and Spanish are such different languages, and many other experiences that, they said, have made them grow and become better professionals and human beings.
Dr. Carmen González has been on the mission for a year. She excitedly recounted anecdotes and experiences that make her proud to help and contribute to the Chinese people, although sometimes, she says, she feels self-conscious in front of her local colleagues, as dozens of patients sometimes line up outside her office wanting her to confirm their diagnosis.
Like other Cuban doctors working in China under this program, she serves as a consultant, providing specialized advice based on her expertise. As in Cuba, young doctors refer to them as “professors.”
Dr. Yamila Rodríguez, from Santa Clara, has had experiences similar to those of Dr. Carmen. She told the President that Cuban and Chinese cultures are very different, with very different languages; however, she said, it is something very beautiful.
We have had many experiences, we are accepted by the population, and we feel enormous satisfaction when we solve a health problem, especially for children.
Dr. Roberto, also from Santa Clara, recounted the challenges faced when beginning the mission, while Dr. Reinier Ruiz, from Isla de la Juventud, commented on the differences between the two health systems.
For their part, doctors Lázaro Javier Villa, Isidro Castañeda, and Juan Carlos Medina recounted similar experiences.
Díaz-Canel congratulated those involved in medical cooperation in China. He highlighted the importance of their work in strengthening relations between the two countries.
The First Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Republic also held talks with members of the Cuban state mission in China, diplomatic staff, and embassy workers.
During the dialogue, representatives from different sectors explained the characteristics, results, and projections of the collaboration, while the Head of State evaluated his visit to Vietnam and the agenda he has followed in China, and elaborated on the current reality in Cuba.
