From Kashmir to Colombia, Cuba’s medical internationalism continues
Morning Star | Monday, 23 September 2024 | Click here for original article
Despite cruel US sanctions, Cuba continues to offer global humanitarian aid and support peace processes, writes KIM JOHNSON MP, urging others to follow Unison’s lead in practical solidarity with the besieged socialist island
ON September 23, I’m delighted to be speaking at a the north-west Cuba Vive Rally at the Casa in my home constituency of Liverpool Riverside.
Alongside the Cuban ambassador, parliamentary colleagues Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Richard Burgon and trade union leaders, I will be helping to raise awareness and funds to send life-saving medical aid to Cuba.
It is a travesty that we need to run appeals like this. Cuba’s investment of its limited resources in the wellbeing of its people has helped it achieve a world-renowned health service.
And it’s not just at home that the island’s commitment to health has saved lives. As a former Unison shop steward, I was privileged to hear first hand from Cubans who addressed our conference over the years — including the head of the Cuban medical brigade that treated more than 73 per cent of the Kashmir earthquake victims in 2006.
Cuba’s dedicated health workers have been at the forefront of Cuba’s legendary internationalism and inspired us with what they have achieved at home and abroad despite 62 years of an illegal US blockade. They have decades of experience of struggling with insufficient medical and surgical supplies. But today’s shortages are unprecedented.
Last week, Cuba released its annual report into the impact of the US blockade ahead of the UN vote in October. It showed how the cost of the blockade has increased. From March 1 2023 to February 29 2024 the blockade caused material damages to Cuba estimated at $5,056,800,000 (over £3.8 billion) — up $189,800,000 on the previous year.
Cuba’s report details the daily “shortages suffered by Cuban men and women, which include foodstuffs, medicines, fuels, means of transportation; as well as the deterioration of other basic services.”
It rightly describes US sanctions as a “flagrant, massive and systematic violation of the human rights of more than 11 million Cubans. It is a cruel punishment policy.”
This cruel policy has been compounded over the last four years by Cuba’s inclusion on the US “State Sponsors of Terrorism” (SSOT) list.
The Trump administration cited Cuba’s role in hosting Colombian guerilla organisations as part of the peace talks. As an MP who took part in a 2022 delegation to Colombia, I know just how absurd and disgraceful this designation is.
Cuba should be celebrated for helping to bring peace to one of the region’s most troubled nations and improving people’s lives in Colombia, not punished as it has been. Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s president, called Cuba’s inclusion a “profound injustice” and demanded it be removed.
Designation as an SSOT means extra financial sanctions, which have exacerbated existing shortages and caused misery for millions of Cubans.
The recent blockade report highlights the profound impact on the health sector: “On many occasions, due to the shortage of diagnostic means and therapeutic products, patients and their families must continuously move around various medical institutions, depending on the availability of supplies. In many cases, these are treatments that make the difference between life and death.”
Over 50 per cent of the 651 medicines on the country’s “National List of Essential Medicines” are currently unavailable.
Before 2022, Cuba would try to ensure it had a 120-day stock of all medicines to cover the national demand; now, it struggles to guarantee 30 days. Only 65 per cent of the surgeries carried out in previous years could be completed during the 12 months covered by the report.
Twenty pieces of technologically obsolete neonatal care equipment for newborns, including incubators, thermal cribs, and neonatal ventilators, desperately need updating.
Shortages of consumables and basic medications such as catheters and diuretics have delayed heart surgery for more than 200 patients. And shortages of contraceptives, condoms, multivitamins, folic acid and early pregnancy testing kits have especially impacted the reproductive health of Cuban women.
The Cuba Vive medical aid appeal was launched in response to these extreme shortages. I am proud that it was the north west region of Unison that took the initiative with the Cuba Solidarity Campaign to do so. It continues the long tradition of the British labour movement in providing real, practical solidarity to break the US blockade.
As well as publicising the medical appeal, the Cuba Vive rally will celebrate Cuba’s internationalism, which has remained steadfast despite the difficulties the country faces. More than 250 Palestinian medical students are currently studying for free in Havana, with more scholarships for Palestinians recently announced.
I, along with other members of the Socialist Campaign Group, also supported members of Cuba’s Henry Reeve International Medical Brigade for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Saving more than 80,000 lives worldwide since its formation in 2005, their selfless humanitarian work and inspirational internationalism truly deserve recognition of the highest distinction.
While attending my first Unison rally at the national delegate conference, I realised the true importance of internationalism and how solidarity and co-operation unite us.
The activities of the Young Trade Unionists May Day Brigade, who celebrated their 17th annual trip this year, also demonstrate the importance of education about the impact of the devastating siege on Cuba, the inspirational resistance of the Cuban people and the lessons we must take forward for our own struggles.
The work of the youth delegates in spreading this message through their experiences in Cuba is essential for our movement as we strive in our own context to build a fairer, more equal society and to challenge the economic and social inequalities we are fighting to overcome.
Internationalism has always been at the heart of our movement, and just as Cuba has always looked outwards — providing support and solidarity with other oppressed peoples of the world — it’s down to us to extend that same solidarity to Cuba.
