Day of the Titans and Heroic Guerrillas in White Coats -
María Inés Álvarez Garay - 
María
Inés Álvarez Garay is a professor and
collaborator of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Gambia.
Latin American Medicine Day is celebrated in Cuba and other countries
of the Patria Grande
in commemoration of the birth of the wise Cuban epidemiologist Carlos
Juan Finlay. Finlay was born on December 3, 1833 in
Puerto Príncipe, Camagüey. His main contribution to
world science was his explanation of the mode of transmission of yellow
fever: the female of the mosquito species known today as Aedes Aegypti.
He earned universal gratitude, not only for this work, but
also because he discovered and solved the terrible problem of childhood
tetanus. His example is an encouragement for those
who, like he did, dedicate their lives to science, research, fighting
disease, and making health care an everyday right of humanity.
Also in his honour, the government of Cuba created the "Carlos
J. Finlay" Microbiology Prize that UNESCO awards every two years to
researchers whose work on issues related to microbiology (immunology,
molecular biology, genetics and others) has contributed in a prominent
way to health. Its objective is to promote research and advances in
microbiology. At the event held for the 20th
anniversary of the Speleological Society of Cuba, at the Academy of
Sciences in Havana, on January 15, 1960, our dear Fidel expressed:
"The
future of our country must necessarily be a future of persons of
science, it must be a future of persons of thought, because it is
precisely what we are cultivating the most; what we are cultivating the
most are opportunities for intelligence." Today
Cuba has solid development in biotechnology research. It has fostered a
strong scientific branch dedicated to the research and production of
medical-pharmaceutical products obtained through genetic engineering
and biotechnology, a solid industry of medicines and equipment for
general medical use, in addition to currently having four vaccine
projects against COVID-19 in different phases of clinical trials.
It
is undeniable that there is no blockade or material limitations that
can prevent the development of intelligence, when you have the will and
the possibility of exercising thought. When, in addition, there is a
social system that favors the full development of the human person;
with a Revolution that has clearly expressed the political will to
develop science, fostering the environment for it, creating the
conditions and seeking the necessary resources; and with a
Commander-in-Chief like ours, who was able to be ahead of his time and
recognize the value of science for the development of humanity and the
Homeland. In the fight against COVID-19, the
current president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel
Bermúdez, acknowledged that the results that have been
achieved in different areas "constitute a reliable example of the
contribution that Cuban science is making to this battle." And
then there are our titans and heroic guerrillas in white coats, who,
scattered throughout the world, tirelessly fight against diseases, who,
fully engaging their humanistic consciousness and solidarity, delve
into science looking for a better future for all, defending the
everyday right to health. 
Cuban medical team in
Gambia to assist in the fight against COVID-19.
The
Cuban Medical Brigade in Gambia is a continuation of the example of
Carlos Juan Finlay, of the values we inherited from our eternal
commander Fidel, our internationalist principles and our unconditional
love to save lives and help those most in need with altruism and
dignity. Today we feel with pride that our path
through this African country is well-trodden with actions and facts
that speak for themselves, hundreds of thousands of people treated,
lives recovered, successful surgeries, successful deliveries, dental
care, diagnostic tests performed, that have made history in a mission
that has already been reaping the love and gratitude of a people who
know how to value their work and who are eternally grateful for their
collaboration for more than 24 years. Congratulations
on Medicine Day!
This article was published in
Volume 50 Number 49 - December 19, 2020
Article Link:
Day of the Titans and Heroic Guerrillas in White Coats -
María Inés Álvarez Garay
Website: www.cpcml.ca
Email: editor@cpcml.ca
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