Cuba's medical assistance to Guatemala gives the vast majority of poor people in that Central American nation access to health care. Eleven years have passed since the first Cuban medical brigade arrived in the country - following the devastating passage of Hurricane Mitch in 1998.

Cuban doctors and health care specialists, who usually work in the most remote corners of the Central American country, have already treated nearly 40 million people, providing medical assistance to those with serious economic limitations.

Guatemalan authorities have pointed out that since the arrival of Cuban doctors and medical personnel, the quality of health services in their country has improved greatly.

Four years ago, another humanitarian initiative, created by Cuba and Venezuela, was introduced in Guatemala: Misión Milagro. This mission provides free surgical operations to people with vision problems. Because of their poverty, these people would not be able to otherwise afford very expense operations.

In recent days, the fourth eye center in Guatemala was opened. It's located in the municipality of Villa Nueva - about 10 miles from Guatemala City, the capital - and in a strategic location for patients from several surrounding areas.

There were already three facilities of this kind in the Central American country. One in the eastern department of Jalapa, another in the western department of San Marcos, and a third in the northern department of Alta Verapaz, where many indigenous people live.

But the collaboration which Cuba offers to Guatemala in the area of health care goes much further. It includes the training of qualified specialists. The Latin American School of Medicine in Havana has graduated more than 440 Guatemalans. And there are currently 347 more Guatemalans studying here in Cuba to become doctors in their country.

The professional training of young people as doctors will not only provide benefits now, but also in the future. The newly-graduated doctors will return to their homeland, serving their people in the most remote regions of the Central American country.

Guatemala is just one example of the medical help which Cuba provides to many nations of the world. It is the Cuban Revolution's modest contribution to guarantee everyone the most basic human right: access to free health care.

Taken from Radio Havana Cuba