The more than 400 members of the Cuban Medical Brigade (BMC) in this Central American country are present everywhere throughout the ‘Land of the Quetzal’, which witnessed the arrival of the first Cuban doctors in early November 1998, when Hurricane Mitch caused one of the worst disasters in Central America.

Successive teams of physicians became part of an uninterrupted collaboration not only within the Comprehensive Health Program, but also in the huge task of fighting preventable blindness with so-called Operation Miracle, a program of free cataract surgeries with the support of Cuba and Venezuela.

Dr. Genard Méndez, Health Director of Jutiapa department who is very familiar with the work of Cuban professionals told Prensa Latina that it is always “an honor to receive them”.

“Since the Mitch disaster, we have benefited from the help provided by the Cuban medical teams that came in support and for many years now have lived and shared the reality of our communities”, he said.

Currently we have 16 Cuban doctors in Jutiapa scattered throughout the Department, some of them finish their term and go home with a piece of our hearts from Guatemala, and then, others come. We are left with that feeling of brotherhood that comes from someone who has been helping you in times of need, he concluded.

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