Healthcare boost as President ends his visit to Cuba
02.12.2009
President James Michel and his delegation have ended their official visit to Cuba by touring several institutions that offer possibilities for programmes of cooperation with Seychelles.
Mr Michel was received by the Cuban Minister for the Environment, Science and Technology, Jose Miyar Barruecos, at the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, which has developed many vaccines now widely used around the world, as well as treatments for many kinds of diseases.
Of particular interest to the Seychellois delegation was a landmark treatment for diabetes that has a very high success rate in avoiding amputations. In collaboration with the Cuban government, the Seychelles Ministry of Health is aiming to make the treatment available here soon.
The two governments are also expected to collaborate on pilot projects using vaccines and rodent control to mitigate leptospirosis in Seychelles.
In recent years, Cuba has become a world leader in developing biotechnology and has patented thousands of new medical products.
“The Cuban government has invested a lot in research and development in the medical field, and it is a privilege for Seychelles to be able to tap into its world-class expertise,” said Mr Michel after his visit to the centre.
The President also visited the El Rincon power station launched by the Cuban government as part of its investment in the “energy revolution”.
As an isolated small island, Cuba has recognised the need to develop many complementary types of energy production to ensure energy sufficiency.
Mr Michel and his delegation were received again by Mr Barruecos at the Latin American School of Medical Sciences, an initiative of the Cuban government to help students from partners in the developing world get a world-class medical degree.
The school now has over 3,000 students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities – from the United States to Africa to the Pacific islands. There is one Seychellois student now benefiting from this medical training initiative and he is expected to complete his studies next year.
Following the President’s visit, the two countries will move to set up a medical training system at Victoria hospital so more students can be trained at home, using Cuban expertise. This project will be possible through cooperation with the new University of Seychelles.
Meanwhile, the two countries have also discussed the need for more medical scholarships to ensure more local doctors are trained and return to Seychelles to contribute to the welfare of their country.
Throughout the visit the subject of climate change remained high on the agenda, and the two governments have agreed to share best practices on carrying out risk assessments with regard to climate change.
As the visit drew to a close, President Michel saluted the innovative and dynamic spirit of the Cuban government and its people, saying: “Cuba has shown the world that a lot can be done even with limited resources through targeted investment in health and education.
“Seychelles has already benefited a lot from our cooperation programmes, and this visit has given momentum to further accelerate our exchanges and collaboration.”
Mr Michel was accompanied on his visit by Minister for Health and Social Development Marie-Pierre Lloyd, secretary of state Jean-Paul Adam and principal secretary for foreign affairs Barry Faure.