Home > Cuba is a warm and caring hand of solidarity

Cuba is a warm and caring hand of solidarity

by Open-Publishing - Friday 27 May 2005
19 comments

Health South/Latin America

By Erasmo Magoulas

In the vast majority of developing countries science is a commodity in the process of disappearing. Government policies in this area, rather than investing money and resources to increase areas of research, which would benefit the majority of their population, take away money and resources from science in order to fulfill the requirements of the International Monetary Fund, which is, pay the immoral external debt.

Developed countries are not in any better shape. A huge proportion of their budgets are oriented to research and science, focusing on the war industry, cosmetology, agribusiness, electronics and robotics, and pharmaceutical products to cure first world diseases. In other words, a huge amount of money goes to fulfill the requirements and desires of 25% of the global population. The rest as they were during the Middle Ages are in God’s hands.

Research, science and technology, when they are controlled by a sovereign country become an indispensable tool of development, and that is just what imperialism cannot tolerate.

Cuba is an exception in this field, as well as in many others.

Behind the Finlay Institute’s walls, a scientific institution working on the research and production of vaccines, Cuban scientist are currently manufacturing nine different antigen vaccines, according to Ramon Barbera, the lab’s deputy director of production. Speaking to the media at the 12th International Fair Health Care for Everyone in Havana, Barbera said that the institute has two production plants where scientists make six different types of vaccines against tetanus, typhus and other combined vaccines as part of a vaccination program for different ages, approved by the Cuban Health Ministry. The expert said the Finlay institute is carrying out the clinical trial of a Cuban vaccine against cholera that will be evaluated shortly in African countries, where the disease is endemic. Cholera covers a very wide medical geography. It became endemic in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and has even affected Europe. It is estimated that there are 120,000 fatalities annually, but accurate figures are difficult to obtain due to fear of international stigmatization and possible sanctions.

Another Scientific Centre in Cuba is the Molecular Immunology Centre, where Cuban scientists have already created a Monoclonal Antibody, which was approved by Chinese health authorities.

The TheraCIM h-R3 is a humanized monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer of the head and neck.

Cuba is a miracle of efficiency and efficacy. A country with a limited amount of resources, blockaded for almost 45 years by the most powerful imperialistic nation, and attacked systematically by terrorist mercenaries from the United States, can overcome all of these obstacles and offer its help and solidarity to millions of the dispossessed and under-privileged all over the world.

Cuba itself is a miracle.

Erasmo Magoulas is an alternative media producer at CFRU University of Guelph, Ontario-Canada

Forum posts

  • How much did Castro pay you to put the article up? I guess you took a lesson from the Commie Chinese. You should be ashamed of yourself for supporting the suffering of the Cuban population.

    • Cuba can be held up as a beacon of human hope that has strived to survive the withering attacks of the US.

      Withstanding trade sanctions it is shining light in terms of human need before human greed.

      ’’Suffering of the Cuban population’’ ? Yes they are poor, sanctions buddy. If California was a nation, it would be the sixth richest country on earth. Yet I’ve seen more poor and dispossessed, clutching styrofoam cups on the Streets of LA and San Francisco with yuppies stepping over them, than in Havana, capital of a ’third world’ country.

      The US philosophy ’’anyone can make it’’ Yeah, right. If you don’t it’s your fault. The Cuban philosophy,is respect for people, less for the accumulation and greed of money.

    • The Cuban philosophy is not respect for people. The Cuban philosophy is do what Fidel Castro says or he’ll kill you.

    • Yeah, I heard that as well and his cigars are actually weapons of mass destruction - I think it was a Fox News ’’exclusive’’.

    • And how exactly do you know that? D’uh... because your media told you. You doofus.
      Why don’t you try and find out what life is really like there? You might get a surprise.
      Just because the mafia wants it back and the government of your sad shambles of a country is willing to try and get it on their behalf shouldn’t make any thinking person make dumb statements like yours.

    • As a well informed American citizen who has visited Cuba more than once, and Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand I can confidently say the Cuban people are poor in "goods" but are all fed, given health care, education and are of good spirits compared to the other central American and Carribean Nations surrounding it. Haiti, El Salvador, Columbia, Panama, and others can learn alot from the "tyrant" Fidel. But these countries are all supported by the American Government and not encouraged to feed poor and educate and provide health care, just like the multitudes here in our own country neglected. Venazuela, Brazil and a few other Latin countries are finally getting hip to the fact that one does’nt need American "feed the greed" democracy. Feed the poor is better. More power to them.

    • I am a Cuban. You are only supporting the Cuban government propaganda. Cuba is not "a miracle of efficiency and efficacy". Actually its population has to do the real miracle of surviving everyday, without food, a decent place to live, or means of transportation. Cuba is a fertile country. The main reason why people don’t have food, is because the government possesses almost all the land, and don’t let people use it. The very few people with land of their own to produce it, are not allow to sell the crop to anybody else than the government (for ridiculous prices). But that is not the worst. The worst is that people has no right to talk freely, has no right to change the government, to choose the education their children are going to receive. In Cuba, if you are not with the government (or at least pretend to support it) you can end up without job or in jail. Cuba’s "president", Castro, has been having absolute power for more than 45 years. Remember: "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely" Imagine what 45 years can do to a tyrant.
      Just a few highlights. A Cuban CANNOT:
      – Speak freely
      – Open a business
      – Travel without government permission
      – Buy/sell/rent a car
      – Buy/sell/rent a house, apartment, etc.
      – Belong to another party than the communist
      – Access Internet without government permission
      – Go to a hotel
      – Access to free press or media
      – Live without fear
      Etc....
      If you really want to have a glimpse of how Cuba is, go there and live like a Cuban for only a month, and you will see.
      Cuba, for Cubans, is no paradise. It is living in hell.

    • Come on! The old Cuban Government was run by American Mafia. Of course these guys want their property back. Moreover Cuba was a heaven for cheap prostitutes. Americans liked that. \
      The average American man gun crazy, child molester and wife beater would be so happy if they could turn Cuba to the old days.
      Now health care, shelter and education is available for all Cubans - not so for Americans - USA still segrates races and women from being treated equally or even paid equally for the same job.
      The people on this board who made bad remarks about Cuba should know better, their American dream has already become a nightmare.
      Which means christian mindset does not go with having sex! Good food? Only gen manipulated shit!
      They have to pay much for cardboard like houses.

      We in the civilized world laugh our asses off about Americans who think they maintain supremacy.
      Where?

      Poor little Ami learn a trade and get an education!

    • that is certianly what you covert operative employer’s position is ... none of us are fooled
      by your postings

    • Cuba is not only a Miracle, is a remarkable illustration of the human desire to be FREE.
      After enduring more than 45 years of a Police State repression, its citizens still long for a Democratic Society. The killings, unjustified incarcerations, and forced indoctrination perpetrated by the Cuban Government against its own people, have not managed to successfully destroy one of the most noble human aspirations.
      TO LIVE IN FREEDOM.

    • People in this country that are anti Fidel are just victums of the U.S. campaign against him and the Cuban people’s revolution, they have bought all of the lies and propaganda. The people who left Cuba are the left overs from the ruling class that was involved in every one of the mafia enterprises and corruption that controlled all of Cuba and its economy. They got kicked out, that was a good thing for the average Cuban, and they like their country more now because it really belongs to them, not just to a handful of immoral money grubbers. Of course they haven’t stopped licking their wounds and wishing every day they could go back and take up their old lavish lifestyles when Tony the Screw and Curly the Lip were in charge. The mafia that controls the U.S. government has tried to take it back for them, but unfortunately the Cuban people are not going to let that happen.

  • Dear "Comrade" Erasmo Magoulas...

    Obviously you don’t have to live permanently in Cuba and suffer the consequences of a Stalinist dictatorship...

    As you seem to know so much about Cuba answer this one:

    Wy is that State Managed demonstartion in favcour of Fidel are always held on week days, during working hours and never on resting days, except for MayDay ??

    So that Employers, University bosses, Head Teachers, Trade Union and Armed Forces leaders and all those who have a controlling job over working people can check who has or has not attend the demonstration....

    If you don’t turn up you better have a valid justification if you don’t want be taxed of counter-reveolutionary and loose your job, you study grant, food and housing subsidy, etc..

    That is how all sorts of dictatorship have an hold on society.. FEAR !!!

    Claude Moreira
    WELLING UK
    www.welling.freewire.co.uk

  • Exactly. I wish a Cuban dissident in Cuba had the advantages this sorry bastard has, with computer connections on every street corner in America....so that he could properly put you in your place. The entire island of Cuba is a detention camp. How would you like to live in a country where you were not allowed to travel? Is that a paradise to you, buddy?

  • As a well informed American citizen who has visited Cuba more than once, and Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand I can confidently say the Cuban people are poor in "goods" but are all fed, given health care, education and are of good spirits compared to the other central American and Carribean Nations surrounding it. Haiti, El Salvador, Columbia, Panama, and others can learn alot from the "tyrant" Fidel. But these countries are all supported by the American Government and not encouraged to feed poor and educate and provide health care, just like the multitudes here in our own country neglected. Venazuela, Brazil and a few other Latin countries are finally getting hip to the fact that one does’nt need American "feed the greed" democracy. Feed the poor is better. More power to them.

  • Hello Erasmo Magoulas,

    My name is Timothy, I used to live on Ignatius Farm in Guelph, On. I think you did too. Are you the same Erasmo? You left for Cuba before I ever arrived, but your legend lives on.

    • Hi Timothy. Thanks to take me as a legend, I hope it is not refering to my age. Bill, he is. Jajajajajajajajajaja.
      I am living in Kitchener. Contact me at 635-0955.
      Paz y Bien
      Erasmo

  • Erasmo Magoulas’ article is accurate and correct. I have spent much time in Cuba over many years and his report reflects Cuban thinking and reality. Cuba’s uses its resources for its people and to assist the poor around the world. This approach is superior to exploitation, theft of raw materials and murder for profit as is practiced by the U.S. government and its rich allies. Cuba’s approach is for humanity, the other leads to barbarism.

    Marcel Hatch, Vancouver, BC

  • Cuba is not only a Miracle, but also a remarkable illustration of the human desire to be FREE.
    After enduring more than 45 years of a Police State repression, its citizens still long for a Democratic Society. The killings, unjustified incarcerations, and forced indoctrination perpetrated by the Cuban Government against its own people, have not managed to sucessfully destroy one of the most noble of human aspirations.
    TO LIVE IN FREEDOM.

    • Cuban communism espouses ’each according to his/her need’. Peoples need before profit.

      US capitalism endorses and promotes a system whereby the three richest people in the world have more than the bottom 600 000 000 people combined, and a system that allows a baby or child to expire from lack of water and food every three seconds.