As an expression of the historic bonds of solidarity between the peoples of Cuba and Brazil, the Landless Workers' Movement (MST) delivered a donation of 7.6 tons of medicines to the national public health system this Wednesday, a contribution that comes at a particularly challenging time for the country.
Dr. Reynaldo Denis de Armas, deputy director of the Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical Surgical Hospital—one of the beneficiary institutions—expressed his gratitude, on behalf of the Ministry of Public Health, for the act of solidarity and emphasized the importance of this aid for a national referral institution that treats highly complex patients from across the country.
He explained that the shipment consists primarily of high-risk antibiotics, essential for medical and surgical care in a tertiary care hospital, as well as other high-demand medications, including omeprazole, which is currently in limited supply in the country.
"This is a very significant help at this time," stated the director, who reiterated his gratitude to the Landless Workers' Movement (MST in Portuguese) for a donation that will contribute to ensuring the continuity of healthcare services.
The donation is part of an ongoing solidarity campaign promoted by the Brazilian organization. Previously, the MST sent 4.6 tons of medicines and medical supplies to Cuba to support recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa in the eastern part of the country, including resources destined for the Institute of Endocrinology and the Frank País Orthopedic Hospital.
Marcelo Durão Fernández de Oliveira, leader of the Landless Workers Movement of Brazil, stated that it is an honor for the organization to stand with the Cuban people and contribute to their healthcare system, while also denouncing the effects of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against the island.
"Cuba is a humanitarian, humanist, and internationalist example for the world," he noted, and reaffirmed that the MST's solidarity will continue through an ongoing support campaign.
Durão Fernández explained that, in addition to the shipments organized with the collaboration of Cuban health authorities, members of the movement who travel to the island contribute medicines as part of this initiative.
"This is not the last donation; "The next one won’t be the last either," the Brazilian leader affirmed, reiterating his commitment to maintaining the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation with Cuba.
This latest shipment from the Landless Workers Movement reaffirms that, even in adverse circumstances, solidarity among peoples remains a powerful force capable of supporting and bolstering efforts to preserve the health and well-being of all.
