The Cuban Medical Brigade (CMB), comprising 189 health professionals spread throughout the country, held its fourth national scientific workshop in Accra at the weekend.

It was part of efforts, to strengthen the relationship between them and their Ghanaian counterparts. The Cubans offer various invaluable services in areas such as surgery, gynaecology, pediatrics and cardiology.

Dr. Eurique Colcis Perez, the leader of the group, said that services carried out by the CMB between 2002 and April 2003 include 12,322 surgeries, 12,999 anaesthesia and 26,948 x-rays. He said the doctors also undertook fieldwork in villages and communities throughout the year.

Dr. Perez announced that his team would carry out a nationwide field work on July 26, December 2 and March 6, which are all very important days on the Cuban calendar. He explained that July 26 was regarded as the beginning of the struggle for the independence of Cuba; December 2, was marked as National Day of the Cuban Armed Forces and March 6, Ghana’s Liberation Day.

Dr. Ernesto Perez, Cuban General Physician who is stationed at the Bimbilla Health Centre in the Northern Region, said he and his colleagues had succeeded in reducing the rate of guinea worm and malaria infections in the area. He noted that their Ghanaian counterparts were co-operative but mentioned the lack of some medical equipment as one of the main problems facing them.