The Cuban Government will assist Fiji through provision of more scholarships in the medical and health care services, which will further add to the cadre of doctors who have returned home to serve the nation at various health centres around the country.
This was discussed during an introductory call received by the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Lesikimacuata Korovavala from the Ambassador of Cuba in Fiji, H.E José Manuel Galego Montano.
Dr. Korovavala welcomed Cuba’s desire to upgrade collaboration in the provision of scholarships and the recently approved Memorandum of Understanding for exchanges in sports development.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work closely with the Cuban Embassy in Suva to see how best we can collaborate in the key areas of socioeconomic development.
As part of Cuba’s scholarships program, 17 Fijian doctors who graduated in Cuba are now serving at various health care facilities in Fiji.
Cuba has expressed interest to provide new scholarships this year in medical and health care, geography, and oceanology.
Cuba has also requested for Fiji’s support in the build up to Summit of G-77 to be held in Havana from 15-16 September, 2023, with an invitation extended from the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez to the Prime Minister, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, to attend the Summit.
This would be an avenue to advance Fiji and Cuba’s cooperation in our shared priorities such as climate change, oceans and environment protection, disaster management, education, sugar industry, agriculture, health care and sports, among others.
In his remarks, Ambassador Montano said the ties between our two countries constitute a genuine testimony of solidarity and cooperation.
He said Fiji can always count with the solidarity of Cuban government and people, saying that, “We are island nations and we share great challenges, so together, we can develop some projects for the benefit of our two peoples.”
Ambassador Montano said there are over 40,000 doctors who were trained in Cuba, are now working in different countries around the world, with more than 2000 teachers, trainers and others specialist as well.
In this context, Cuba is ready to offer Fiji with capacity building and skills training, human resources development in health and education sector.
Ambassador Montano expressed the Cuban government’s commitment to continue developing the friendly relations and cooperation between our countries.
