Wisconsin State Journal
November 28, 2014
By Dr. Bernard F. Micke

A group of the Wisconsin Medical Project just returned from a trip to Camaguey, Cuba, a sister city of Madison, where we delivered medical supplies to hospitals and clinics.

The medical project has been providing surplus and rehabilitated medical equipment to doctors there for the past 10 years. In that time, we have met many Cuban doctors and have learned of the long-term commitment of Cuba to provide doctors in more than 80 countries and to train young people from those countries in the medical profession. The goal has been their return to their native countries to work in under-served areas.

On the last trip, we learned 12 doctors from Camaguey are among the planned 460 Cuban health professionals being sent to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. We are impressed by the courage of these highly trained professionals.

We hope the U.S. government will take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with their efforts by opening the treatment center built by the Pentagon in Monrovia, Liberia to treat any infected Cuban and assist in their evacuation.

Cooperation between the Cuban doctors and the U.S. logistical services could be a compassionate stepping-stone to breaking down the harmful embargo that stands between our peoples.