The National COVID-19 response has received a major boost in the form of a 5-member Cuban Medical Brigade which arrived Friday afternoon, 26th June 2020, on a direct chartered flight from Havana, Cuba. The team comprises one (1) Anesthesiologist, one (1) Medical Epidemiologist/Infectious Disease Specialist, one (1) Medical Doctor, one (1) Intensive Care Nurse and one (1) Registered Nurse.
These health professionals were specifically requested for their areas of expertise and will be assigned to assist staff at the Health Authority of Anguilla, over the next 6 months, as the health team continues to work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and provide assistance in other areas as necessary.
Cuba’s support to the health sector in the Caribbean has a long and exemplary history and has benefitted numerous Caribbean citizens. The Ministry of Health and the Health Authority of Anguilla are extremely appreciative of the Government of the Republic of Cuba for responding favourably to the request for help.
In accordance with the Ministry of Health’s protocol for specialists entering Anguilla during this time, all members of the brigade were tested for COVID-19 before leaving Cuba and upon arrival in Anguilla, and both procedures confirmed negative results. Furthermore, in accordance with current practices, members of the brigade will undergo a 14-day quarantine period before they commence their duties.
The recruitment of the medical brigade was made possible through the hard work of the Governor, H.E. Tim Foy, and his staff along with the support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London and the British Ambassador in Cuba. The terms of their engagement are captured in an MOU executed between the Governments of Cuba and Anguilla which was signed by the respective Ministers of Health, which in Anguilla’s case is the Hon. Evans McNiel Rogers. The Ministry of Health and Health Authority of Anguilla express their gratitude for this unwavering support.
Additionally, the Ministry of Health and the Health Authority of Anguilla would like to thank Anguilla Air Services for arranging the logistics and air charter services that allowed the brigade to travel directly from Havana to the Clayton J Lloyd International Airport.
- Press Release
