1997 USA/Cuba InfoMed Update
USA/Cuba InfoMed volunteers met in San Francisco on 1/27/97 and set the goal of sending to Cuba 400 computers in 1997. After hard work during the first months of the year the first 125 computer systems were sent in a 20" container. We also sent four 55 gallon drums of paint for the INFOMED building in Havana.
The Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) suggested for the next shipment a Pittsburgh, PA based organization, "Global Links", which has a Cuban Program under the auspices of the Pan American Health Organization. "Global Links" had both the experience in sending material aid to Cuba and was also willing to request an export license for USA-Cuba InfoMed's 400 computers. As the first 125 computers were on their way in May (1997), USA/Cuba InfoMed representatives presented a paper about Cuba's INFOMED at the Spring meeting of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA). The paper was titled: "Supporting Medical Informatics in the Developing World: Cuba's InfoMed"
Groups supporting CUBA's INFOMED also appeared in other cities of the U.S. INFOMED-EAST based in Washington DC and leaded by Bert Stiller gathered and ship over 30 systems by the summer of 1997. During that summer the first donated vehicle arrived to Cuba's CNICM-INFOMED and in the U.S. the gathering, repair and preparation of computers continued not stop.
USA/Cuba InfoMed volunteers participated during the summer in the 14th World Youth Festival in Havana. In July 1997, Dave Wald, co-founder and national director of USA/Cuba InfoMed traveled again to Cuba and met with Public Health
vice-minister Dr. Jose Baudilio Jardines, and heard and discussed, among other ideas the exciting formulation of the concepts for a MINSAP "Virtual University" to be accessed via the WWW and to containing audio and video material directed at introducing the newest medical technology. USA/Cuba InfoMed enthusiastically supported this project and committed to bring to Cuba machines capable of serving for these purposes. Also discussed was the possibility of a "trilateral collaboration for the development of medical informatics in neighboring Jamaica".
During 1997 USA/Cuba-InfoMed expanded the capabilities of the web site it hosts, the "Cuba Solidarity Web Site" . This medium allows the publication and posting of news related to health in Cuba and solidarity efforts to support it. The Cuba Solidarity Web Site has been useful in promoting the end of the U.S. blockade of Cuba. The web site is linked with the INFOMED page in Cuba and with the Republic of Cuba's Web page. The web site has been recommended by the Cuban Interest Section in Washington as a source of accurate news on Cuba. It is also a place where members of the movement of solidarity with Cuba can connect and exchange information. We invite all groups working toward the end of the embargo to visit and make use of the Cuba Solidarity Web.
On November 4-7, 1997 USA/Cuba InfoMed facilitated participation of a Cuban InfoMed representative to the "International Conference on Medicine and the Internet, MEDNET-97", where the paper "Is it possible to create Medical Information Networks in the Developing World? Cuba's Response: INFOMED", by P.Urra Gonzalez, J.Hernandez Ojito, J.Reardon, A. Magrans de Cardenas. On November 24-25, 1997 USA/Cuba InfoMed representatives participated in the international conference on "Resource Mobilization for the Health Sector" in Havana. Many projects were presented as "Options for Solidarity and Friendship".
On December 16, 1997 a 40 foot container was loaded and shipped to Cuba via Canada. It was carrying a total of 219 computer systems. The goal for the year had been reached, and some 800 computer systems had been delivered to Cuban hospitals and clinics by USA-Cuba InfoMed.
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