Cuban Health Minister Praises Qatari -Cuban Friendship and Cooperation

Doha, January 10 (QNA) - Cuban Health Minister Roberto Morales hailed the deep relations between Qatar and Cuba that have been rooted for more than 23 years. As he inaugurated the Cuban Hospital in Dukhan, Morales reiterated the strength of bilateral relations between the two countries that completed 23 years at the beginning of 2012. "Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Cuba, we have done a lot of joint efforts to develop the different fields of cooperation. This hospital is the product of the joint efforts, the excellent relationships, and the exchange of experiences and views between HH the Emir and the Cuban leader," Morales said. Morales highlighted the role of Qatar Petroleum, Hamad Medical Corporation and the Supreme Council of Health in making the project a success and implementing it in accordance with the highest international standards. Cuba has provided the hospital with more than 200 highly qualified medical professionals including doctors, nurses and specialists in the fields of rehabilitation, dentistry, pathology, Biomedicine and radiology, and Morales didn't rule out the possibility of adding more. Morales spoke of the medical research in Cuba to address the health concerns his country is facing. The minister said that Cuba has managed to bring child mortality rate down to 4.9 out of 1,000 and Eliminate Malaria, Diphtheria, Fever, Tetanus and Meningitis in addition to a national child vaccination programme to ensure protective immunity to all citizens. Cuba is working on a new health system to cope with the economic and social development, Morales said, as he pointed to the pressures and economic sanctions that affected the country's health sector. (QNA)