Amidst the battle against Covid-19 on the island, the Cuban government has decided to continue international medical collaboration joining efforts around the world to contain the epidemic.

#CubaSalva has taken off as a hashtag on social media and is even used in popular conversation, beyond the Internet, to refer to our country’s position in the complex situation the world is experiencing with the exploding Covid-19 pandemic.
 
This is no accident, but the result of a concrete reality, since more than 400,000 children of this earth have delivered a message of hope around the world, taking on the noble task of saving lives. For 56 years, 164 nations can testify to what has been a feat of solidarity, considering that this is an island constantly struggling against economic strangulation by an arbitrary, genocidal blockade.
 
Amidst the battle against Covid-19 on the island, our government has decided to maintain international medical collaboration, and in those nations where Cuban internationalists are present, their efforts are directed toward confronting the pandemic and supporting implementation of measures adopted by local governments.
 
Here are the latest details regarding Cuba’s positive response to requests for help from other countries:
 
Venezuela
 
A small group of Cuban specialists arrived in this sister nation, March 16, to provide advice on effective control of the disease, followed by 136 members of our country's Medical Brigade to reinforce primary care in communities, the front line in confronting Covid-19.
 
Nicaragua
 
As the vice president of this nation, Rosario Murillo, had announced, Cuba confirmed our willingness to collaborate with the sister Republic of Nicaragua in the midst of this complex situation that is plaguing the world. Keeping our word, five professionals from the island arrived there March 18.
 
Suriname
 
In December of 2019, amidst celebrations for the 40th anniversary of relations between the two nations, the governments of Cuba and Suriname reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration. Under this precept, on March 20, 51 members of the Henry Reeve International Contingent arrived in the country, to join the fight against the new coronavirus.
 
Grenada
 
Upholding the values of Cuban women and honoring their courage in the face of adversity, five intensive care nurses from the Henry Reeve Contingent departed for Grenada on March 20, to face the pandemic that has left thousands of homes around the world in mourning.
 
Jamaica
 
Some 140 members of the Henry Reeve Contingent departed for Jamaica on March 21 to battle the new coronavirus and Covid-19. They were greeted by the people with beautiful, moving expressions of love and admiration.
 
Italy
 
Although Europe has become the world region most affected by the pandemic, the situation in Italy is undoubtedly the most chaotic and desperate. Lombardy, the center of the outbreak, is recording high numbers of deaths every day, in the face of a collapsed health system and an exhausted workforce. This is where, for the first time in history, a brigade of 52 doctors and nurses, from the Henry Reeve International Contingent of Doctors Specializing in Disasters and Serious Epidemics arrived on Saturday the 22nd, in an act of incomparable humanism.
 
Currently, of the 59 countries where Cuban collaboration in the health sector existed before the coronavirus outbreak, more than 30 have confirmed the presence of Covid-19. Cuban doctors and nurses continue their work in this battle, with two essential weapons, their proven professional ability and their strong sense of responsibility.
 
Several more nations have requested Cuban support, and others, blinded by political instability, neoliberalism in its purest form and hatred of our social system, have rejected our help. But, for the record, our policy as a country in this situation has been very clear since the communiqué reporting our decision to give the MS Braemar cruise ship safe harbor was released, stating: "These are times of solidarity, of understanding health as a human right, of strengthening international cooperation to face our common challenges, values that are key to the humanist practice of the Revolution and our people.