The French government has invited the services of Cuban doctors in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak in the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and Guiana, all of which are administered by France. The decision was made at the request of senator for Martinique, Catherine Conconne, and senator for Guadeloupe, Dominique Theophile.
Conconne said the decision “was taken mainly to strengthen our teaching hospitals. This amendment allows us to draw on our Cuban fraternal resources. So, for me, it’s a victory, a great joy. That this decree arrives at the height of the coronavirus crisis is very good.”
A team of Cuban doctors has already reached Italy to assist in the fight against COVID-19 in Lombardy, the worst affected region in the country. The principality of Andorra received a team of 12 doctors and 27 nurses from Cuba. Nicaragua, Grenada, Suriname, Jamaica and Belize also recently benefited from Cuban assistance.
As of March 30, around 106 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Guadeloupe, with 4 deaths. At least 119 positive cases and two deaths in Martinique, and 43 cases in French Guiana have also been reported.
French MP André Chassaigne from the French Communist Party (PCF) representing Puy-de-Dôme had earlier requested the minister of health to mobilize international aid, including by collaborating with Cuba in order to fight COVID-19.
