Nov 18
Wendy Campbell is past Head Girl at Garvey Maceo High School in Jamaica and a final-year medical student in Cuba. In this article she speaks of her experience in Cuba over the past six years.
“As someone who benefited from the exposure to Cuba’s medical system, I would like to give back to Jamaica; I would like to use the knowledge that I have gained in Cuba to implement some of the programmes than can be implemented, especially the system of primary health care.”
Inspirational. I first saw Cuba’s family doctor system on a visit in 1999. I was blown away. Its what lies behind Cuba’s infant mortality rate being lower than the US, I believe the lowest in the Americas. As to the caring, service ethos of Cuban medical professionals, there is no exaggeration in Wendy’s account. I have seen a big man moved to tears when he encountered it at a medical mission in Caracas, he asked the head doctor, why do you do this? and the Cuban doctor, surprised at the question, replied to the effect that it is their duty as an international solidarity mission.
People like Wendy Campbell, beneficiaries of that international solidarity, are the hope for the future of Jamaica, of the world.Yes,another world IS possible.
Norman .