Secrets and Illnesses Among Cuban Doctors in Venezuela

Secrets and Illnesses Among Cuban Doctors in Venezuela / Juan Juan Almeida
Posted on July 9, 2014

The Cuban government, as a tactic, is entrenched in silence,
compartmentalization and secrets. This is the reason why, even today, in
the age of the internet and despite several defections, it is not common
to find real news that described the medical mission in Venezuela from
inside.

The subject is "top secret." The island's government prefers to hide
problems, instead of preventing them with information. Any data that
concerns the medical collaboration is considered "classified" and,
consequently, remains guarded by the Cuban and Venezuelan special services.

So, weeks ago on the publication of an article titled, "Cuban mission in
Venezuela in danger," the bloodhounds got all upset and lost their cool,
and with the momentum of hunters set off in chaotic pursuit. But, on not
finding those guilty of "leaking information," they decided to grab the
most likely bidder as a scapegoat so as not to face the resounding echo
of their own incompetence.

Arrested and sent to Havana, an innocent aid worker traveled handcuffed
and guarded, carrying as baggage as a sheet of paper where he is accused
of being a spy; without trial but with judgment. Such slander is the
work of an inquisitorial tribunal chaired by Roberto Gonzalez, national
chief of the Cuban Medical Mission in that country.

Somewhere I read that to see an injustice and to remain silent is like
committing it. So it is my duty to clarify that the information
published did not come from any foot soldier, but an upper crust
official who, with his high sense of greed, tried to live in a world
beyond the sky.

I do not think any cooperator would risk breaking the barrier of imposed
compartmentalization without some guaranteed escape. Something that I
believe justifies the innocence of the arrested. Those below don't
possess the information, nor have the desire; it's enough to have to the
responsibility to save lives and to be sheltered in a country where few
people want us; because despite our good, bad or ulterior motives, much
of the Venezuelan population, sees us as mere invaders.

But back to the subject at hand, and with more information than I had
last week; on Monday,June 30, in Anzoategui, Aragua, Bolivar, Carabobo,
Lara, Miranda, Sucre and Zulia 330 Cuban collaborators were reported
with acute respiratory infections; 37 of them in the last week. In Nueva
Esparta, Trujillo, Monagas, Yaracuy, Sucre, Miranda, Lara and Barinas,
there is an increase of collaborators with dengue fever (nine, to be exact).

I am not given to putting figures in writing, but sometimes, like this
is necessary. I must also add that in the Amazon, Trujillo, Nueva
Esparta, Apure, Guarico, Anzoategui, Lara, Falcón, Barinas, Delta
Amacuro and Zulia, 98 Cubans were diagnosed with ADD (acute diarrheal
diseases).

Also, in the Amazonas, Apure, Monagas, Guarico, Nueva Esparta, Bolivar,
Vargas, Cojedes, Sucre, Merida, Barinas and Zulia, 248 Cuban
professionals (79 doctors, 80 nurses, 55 dentists and 34 laboratory
technicians) are under observation after suffering some kind of
occupational accidents involving exposure to blood and body fluids.

The Cuban medical mission in Venezuela has serious problems; besides
manifest rejection and disease, the exodus of physicians is increasing.

I was told that the opening of offices in areas of extreme poverty is
stagnant due to the lack of cooperation of community leaders, and
Venezuelan students are reluctant to participate as extras in this
circus. And to make it more surreal, there is a lack of medications,
even basic ones. They say there is a delay in delivery. I will also
speak about this.

8 July 2014

Source: Secrets and Illnesses Among Cuban Doctors in Venezuela / Juan
Juan Almeida | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/secrets-and-illnesses-among-cuban-doctors-in-venezuela-juan-juan-almeida/