By Times Reporter. The Times of Zambia (Lusaka). Africa News Online. March 17, 2000.
Lusaka - Cuba will provide more doctors to help Zambia overcome the shortage in most hospitals, visiting foreign affairs minister Felipe Perez Roque has said. Mr. Roque at a Press briefing on Wednesday evening at Pamodzi Hotel said Health Minister David Mpamba would next month travel to Havana
to conclude the deal.
He did not disclose how many doctors would be provided. More than 1,000 Cuban doctors are already working in various health institutions countrywide.
"We will be increasing the number of Cuban doctors if we agree with the minister of Health in April. We have a will to help Zambia improve her health services and we are proud that our relations are good," Mr. Roque said.
He disclosed that 10 Zambians would be leaving for Cuba for special teacher training programmes while 21 other Zambians were already in that country training in various specialised fields. The envoy who delivered a special message to President Chiluba from his Cuban counterpart Fidel Castro,
said Cuba appreciated peace efforts Mr. Chiluba made over the DR-Congo. "Peace is imperative not only in this region but the whole of Africa.
That is the reason why we have come, to trace our roots," he said. Mr. Roque said Africa had tremendous potential due to the massive natural resources and the human resource base.
He accused the West of exploiting the continent while enriching themselves as the continent wallowed in poverty. "Africans should not be fighting wars. They should fight poverty, disease, hunger, illiteracy and those that want to exploit it.
We are happy with the solidarity we have received from Africa over the economic blockade by our enemy," he said. Foreign Affairs Minister Keli Walubita said Zambia cherished the friendship with Cuba and would continue to offer its solidarity against the America's economic blockage to ensure
justice prevailed. Zambia and Cuba would continue to explore new areas of co-operation.
"We appreciate the assistance in the health field and the training offered to Zambians. Cuba has shown that it is a true friend," Mr. Walubita said.
Copyright (c) 2000 Times of Zambia. Distributed via Africa News Online (www.africanews.org). |