Cuban doctor speaks
By Bill Mason
BRISBANE — Cuba's unique and revolutionary health care system has faced the challenge of the recent polyneuropathy epidemic — affecting the eyesight of many citizens — by mobilising the country's resources to provide multivitamin tablets for the entire population, leading Cuban nutritionist Dr Manuel Amador told a public meeting here on October 8.
Dr Amador has been touring Australia following his attendance at the International Congress on Nutrition in Adelaide recently.
Cuba's health care and nutrition standards are the best of any Third World country, as shown by a number of indicators, Dr Amador said.
The effects of the illegal US blockade of Cuba, recently tightened even further by the Torricelli Act, combined with the disastrous effects on Cuba's economy of the collapse of the Soviet bloc, have put immense pressure on Cuba's living standards and public health.
Nevertheless, Cuba's socialist system has demonstrated in its successful response to the polyneuropathy crisis, and in other ways, that it can defend itself against all kinds of dangers imposed by the imperialist blockade, Dr Amador explained.
Cuban Consul-General Dr Marcelino Fajardo introduced the meeting by calling of all supporters of Cuba to redouble their solidarity efforts in Cuba's hour of need.