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VI requests help from Cuba to fight COVID-19- Premier Fahie

- Said team ready to come but VI awaiting support from UK
March 29th, 2020 | Tags:
As Italy continues its battle against the global coronavirus pandemic, Cuba has sent 52 doctors and nurses to the country to help. The Virgin Islands has requested a team of 30 medical personnel from Cuba. Photo: Matteo Bazzi/EPA
A team of medical personnel from the island of Cuba is ready to travel to the Virgin Islands (VI) to assist in the fight against Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced. Photo: VINO/File
A team of medical personnel from the island of Cuba is ready to travel to the Virgin Islands (VI) to assist in the fight against Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A team of medical personnel from the island of Cuba is ready to travel to the Virgin Islands (VI) to assist in the fight against Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced.

Cuba has already dispatched contingents of doctors and nurses to Venezuela, neighboring Latin American and Caribbean nations, as well as Italy, where Cuban and Chinese health workers have been helping the locals in the hard-hit Lombardy region, and Andorra.

Among those are health workers with expertise in providing medical treatment to people affected by natural disasters as well as disease outbreaks such as cholera in Haiti and the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa.

30 medical personnel from Cuba requested

“We all know that faith without works is dead. That is why Government continues to put measure in place to help our people.

“I wish to inform you that the team at the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the International Affairs Secretariat of the Premier’s Office have actively engaged with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States [OECS] and the Cuban Government to secure resources by requesting 30 medical personnel from Cuba.

“I am pleased to say the team is ready to come to the BVI,” Premier Fahie stated on Saturday, March 28, 2020, shortly after declaring Sunday, March 29, 2020 a National Day of Repentance.

VI seeks support from UK for Cuba’s assistance

Honourable Fahie said the VI is now awaiting word from the United Kingdom, through the Governor’s Office, “to support a request for this invaluable assistance from the Cuban Government.”

Currently, more than 28,000 Cuban health professionals are working abroad as part of bilateral agreements with more than 60 countries.

Since 1963 when a ravaging earthquake hit Algeria, Cuba's international medical collaboration has expanded to more than 164 countries, with some 400,000 health workers from the island nation having offered medical treatment across the globe.

23 Responses to “VI requests help from Cuba to fight COVID-19- Premier Fahie”

  • Glory (29/03/2020, 10:27) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great news
  • Help (29/03/2020, 10:29) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    will they travel with equipment as well, if not do we have the equipment on island
  • tretretrete (29/03/2020, 11:07) Like (9) Dislike (10) Reply
    Grateful for the help but My only concern is why do we need so many more health care professionals than current confirm cases. Are we expecting the confirm cases to make a major increase?
  • Nice (29/03/2020, 11:07) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nice but I hope those Cuban doctors are tested before entering the territory.
    • NezRez (29/03/2020, 18:49) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Nice. Of course they would have been tested. My concern is I hope they don't catch anything while they are here helping us. I wish them the BEST of the BEST of luck. They are brave to even offer us help. Yes, 30 doctors seems a bit much and I feel there are more Corona cases that the government is letting on. People, lets stay strong and do the right things to keep healthy. Thank You.
  • Lorddd (29/03/2020, 11:08) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    That woman who work in the hospital already tell everybody the cases have increase that’s why those extra doctors are coming
  • Awesome (29/03/2020, 11:09) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank you VIP Government for doing everything to stop the spreading of the virus in the BVI
  • OMG (29/03/2020, 11:11) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whether you want to believe it or not there’s more cases here than 2 the government will let us know this week
  • Help (29/03/2020, 11:12) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    We have more cases here thank you Cuban doctors for coming to assist
  • lol (29/03/2020, 11:13) Like (42) Dislike (11) Reply
    Imagine if Myron And His Rats was in power we would’ve been in trouble in the bVI that i you Vip for your continuous effort.
  • question (29/03/2020, 11:15) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    Are they coming to assist or being paid to assist ?
  • noooo (29/03/2020, 11:17) Like (4) Dislike (49) Reply
    Oh god them Cubans going come in here and kill us Jesus
  • WantKno (29/03/2020, 11:19) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    So, what happen to dem 9 results we’re waiting on; something deeper make we need 30 Cubans? It’s good, but just curious...,
  • click (29/03/2020, 11:27) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is there a bigger problem than what we have been told.
  • True (29/03/2020, 11:48) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    16 ventilators soif 16 people are on them.......only 3 if you're lucky will survive that is the percentage that survive once on the ventilators
  • 12 million (29/03/2020, 13:59) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    They need to purchase more ventilators
    With those funds

    Interesting how those funds will b spent ....
  • SOS (29/03/2020, 15:56) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    They are coming to help because there are lots of cases that the public is not informed about. I hope they don’t have to set up a emergency mobile hospital on the festival grounds. We are freaking doomed. And these foolish people is not taking heed. The less people on the street, the better chance we have.
  • Youth (29/03/2020, 23:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fahie and his team are doing an awesome job trying to keep us safe.
  • Diaspora (30/03/2020, 07:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We cannot let the politics of the perfect be enemy of the good. We cannot and should not slaughter the medical needs of the territory during this pandemic on the altar of political correctness. Cuba despite the decades of embargo has made great strides in its literacy rate and medical. The Cubans are willing to provide the assistance so what is the down side to accepting the help. The VI has a small and limited health system and needs to surge its capacity and capability, avoiding overwhelming the health system. The first order of business is preventing contracting the infection. Nonetheless, if some residents are infected, the capacity and capability must be in place to take care of them. Every effort must be taken not to overwhelmed the health system. An overwhelmed health system spells disaster and creates a second crisis. The UK has its hands full responding to this crisis, due to a slow start out of the gate. Let’s get this thing done. Cubans, beinvenidos!
  • Concerned (30/03/2020, 14:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would like to know handle what there were two reported case here what are the conditions of does two persons and and y are people coming to fight what two cases . Tell us more please cause I feel is man doing this and we need not to be to trusting of outsiders coming for all cause until there is a need for it will to have a cost am sure they not coming for free . To our leaders be wise and let the lord lead the way for it is written be hasty for nothing and the lord know and provide all thi ge we are very bless there is no out break here so lock dow. Is great but don't call wolf whe. It or here yet leave help for the places that need it for whe. The wolf is here a d u need help help will come be of good courage don't lead I. Fear it. Not care. So say a pray open. Up your hearts ear .
  • Quiet Warrior (30/03/2020, 21:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The frontline or forward edge of battle area (FEBA)in this war against the Novel Coronavirus (Civid-19) is the medical professionals, ie, nurses, technicians, doctors.......etc. The health system needs the surge capacity and capability to prevent the system from being overwhelmed. Furthermore, an overwhelmed health system may mean rationing of care for those that may have the best likelihood of long-term survival. All our effort must be geared to avoid this scenario.

    Moreover, in order for health professionals to function at a high level, they must have adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). The health system must also surge beds, ventilators, nurses, nurses assistants, physician assistants, laboratory technicians........etc. The 30 Cuban medical professionals will be a welcome addition to surge staffing. Governor Augustus Jaspert lets get ah dun! Cubanos bienvenidos!
  • Quiet Warrior (30/03/2020, 21:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The frontline or forward edge of battle area (FEBA)in this war against the Novel Coronavirus (Civid-19) is the medical professionals, ie, nurses, technicians, doctors.......etc. The health system needs the surge capacity and capability to prevent the system from being overwhelmed. Furthermore, an overwhelmed health system may mean rationing of care for those that may have the best likelihood of long-term survival. All our effort must be geared to avoid this scenario.

    Moreover, in order for health professionals to function at a high level, they must have adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). The health system must also surge beds, ventilators, nurses, nurses assistants, physician assistants, laboratory technicians........etc. The 30 Cuban medical professionals will be a welcome addition to surge staffing. Governor Augustus Jaspert lets get ah dun! Cubanos bienvenidos!
  • Tom Jones Penn (01/04/2020, 12:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cubans huh


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