A memorandum in the fields of public health and medical science was signed between Cyprus and Cuba, on Thursday, by Minister of Health, Michalis Hadjipantela, and Ambassador of Cuba in Cyprus, Angel Gustavo Suarez Cordeno.
During the signing ceremony, Hadipantela thanked the Ambassador for his contribution in reaching agreement for the memorandum, which, as he said, “reaffirms the close relations of the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Cuba, and promotes the mutual assistance for the improvement of health care and the delivery of medical services in both countries, with special focus in the pharmaceutical sector.”
He added that the aim is to improve effectiveness through the exchange of information, knowledge and expertise, and by enabling the direct communication between respective experts in both countries. “This is a very positive step and I am convinced that there is a very strong potential for mutual benefit, leading to the improvement of public health in both countries,” he concluded.
On his part, the Cuban Ambassador mentioned that the memorandum reaffirms the partnership between the two countries, which has been ongoing through the years, as he said.
“Through this memorandum we wish to enforce and promote cooperation between the two states and the people, in public health, medical science and specifically in the area of pharmaceuticals and the field of education in medical science,” Cordero said and added that the MoU signing is an important moment for both countries.
He mentioned that the memorandum opens opportunity for the exchange of experience, dissemination of information, creation of common ground for joint research projects, organization of seminars and conferences. “We will continue to maximize our respective strengths and comparative advantages to complement each other with strategic work in the above fields,” he concluded, saying that the collaboration will be beneficial for both countries and most importantly for both people.
Answering to journalists’ questions Hadjipantela said that the latest pandemics highlighted the importance of the exchange of information between medical experts from both countries.
Responding to a question about the fields that are higher in the hierarchy of the goals of the memorandum, Cordero said the area of education could be a starting point. “Cyprus and Cuba have a lot of things to share, because as countries we face common diseases, the diabetes, mosquitos, Parkinson’s,” he said and added that “in these areas, Cuba has really good things to show and I know that Cyprus also has a lot of things to show.”
Source: Cyprus News Agency