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Cuba's Public Health Virtual University Inaugurates
"Classrooms Without Borders".
Cuba Inaugurates National Telemedicine Network To Allow Transmission Of Medical Images
Monday April 19, 1999
By Jose de la Osa
The medical education project "Classrooms Without Borders" is now a reality in Cuba with the official inauguration on April 19 in Havana of the first 12 courses of Cuba's Public Health Virtual University. Thirty additional courses are expected to be added to the curriculum during 1999.
Cuba continues to take advantage of the developments in the areas of telecommunications and informatics to promote and facilitate the continuous training of Cuban health professionals and technicians who will receive current scientific and technical information via the Virtual University.
These new "virtual classrooms" are being started in the computer laboratories of Cuba's 21 medical schools and four dental schools, which are located throughout a country in which each province has at least one medical school. Additionally, 50 municipalities are gearing up to participate in the project with the development of " meeting sites" or "sites of presence". The development of these sites as well as the required technological infrastructure have the support of UNICEF, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). "Distance learning" will be available in practically every corner of the country through INFOMED, Cuba's Public Health Informatics Network.
The inauguration of the virtual university took place in the National Medical Library. The library has 15 modern computers which allow users access to medical information resources, both in Cuba and abroad, a service available through INFOMED as well as the library's own Intranet. Course registration will be take place via electronic mail (infomed@sld.cu). The courses include: "Bronchial Asthma", "Genetics for Local Public Health Workers", "Bio-climatic Architecture and Sustainable Development", "Basic Household Hygiene" and a course leading to a "Diploma in Medical Genetics" . To promote computer skills, courses are offered in "Computer Networks", "Windows 95" and "MSWord".
Furthermore, Doctor Jose Baudilio Jardines, Vice Minister for Medical Education of the Cuban Ministry of Public Health, announced that during the Medical Technology Fair "Health for All" (April 24, 1999) Cuba will inaugurate the National Telemedicine Network . This network will make possible the immediate transmission of clinical test results and secondary medical opinions to remotely located professionals. The network will allow the sharing of graphic images such as X-rays, ultrasound pictures, CAT Scans, and pathology reports from biopsies. All this technology will allow to improve the quality of health care in Cuba.
The leading institution of the National Telemedicine Network is Hospital "Hermanos Ameijeiras" in Havana. This hospital is linked with key hospitals in the cities of Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba.
Jose A. de la Osa
Religious Organization Plans Civil Disobedience Challenge To Us Embargo Of Cuba Will Deliver Caravan With Millions Of Dollars Of Raw Pharmaceutical Materials For Cuba's Health System
Contact: The Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization(IFCO)/Pastors for Peace
212/926-5757; email: ifco@igc.org
March 16, 1999
Today, the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO)/Pastors for Peace announced its ninth "people's challenge" to the 39 year-old economic blockade of Cuba. The ninth US-Cuba Friendshipment caravan will deliver millions of dollars worth of life-saving raw pharmaceutical materials, medicines and medical equipment to the doctors and nurses of Cuba. This urgently needed material aid is designed to counteract the devastating effects of the blockade on Cuba's universal health care system.
Since 1992 IFCO/Pastors for Peace has organized eight Friendshipment caravans to draw attention to citizen opposition to the US embargo. Caravan participants have risked up to $250,000 in fines and 10 years in prison to deliver medicines, ambulances, school buses, computers and powdered milk to Cuban churches.
"Although Cuba has an outstanding medical system, the US embargo denies Cuba access to many medicines which are manufactured here in the United States," said Rev. Lucius Walker, director of IFCO/Pastors for Peace. "Last year our caravan sent $4,000 worth of raw materials which Cuba transformed into $480,000 worth of antibiotics. This year we plan to take materials valued at over $10 million."
The past eight caravans have delivered more than 1500 tons of unlicenced aid to Cuba.
"We intentionally take these caravans without seeking a US government license because we firmly believe that the US economic blockade is a crime against humanity," Walker continued. "As Pope John Paul II said, it is 'monstrously immoral'. Through this act of non-violent civil disobedience we believe that we can highlight the injustice of US policy toward Cuba and force it to be changed."
As many as 300 participants from churches, schools and community centers across the country, as well as from Canada, Europe, Mexico, Africa, Asia and South America are expected to participate in this historic challenge to US policy.
Beginning May 27, the caravan will travel along 15 different routes, stopping in 150 Canadian and US communities holding educational events, collecting material aid and additional participants. On June 11 the routes will converge on McAllen, Texas and then cross the border into Mexico. The aid will be loaded onto a freighter destined for Cuba and the participants will fly to Cuba for a week long program.
"The Clinton Administration recently proposed "cosmetic changes" in US foreign policy toward Cuba, despite growing opposition to the embargo. Unfortunately, the US government remains pathologically obsessed with the need to destroy Cuba," said Walker. "And we continue to be morally bound to disobey this immoral policy aimed at hurting the Cuban people."
###
Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO) January 6, 1999 - Washington, D.C. The changes announced by the Clinton Administration
in relaxing restrictions on remittances and travel to Cuba give hope to Cuban
Americans with families still on the island. "However we are disappointed that Cuban Americans and Americans in general,
are still prevented from selling life-sustaining food, medicine, and much-needed
medical equipment to the people of Cuba," stated Delvis Fernández Levy, CAAEF
President. "I am not allowed to send money remittances like other immigrants to my loved
ones back home," said Dr. Alberto Jones, Executive Director of the Caribbean
Children Foundation in Florida. "We, as Cuban Americans, are still treated
as second class citizens when it comes to helping our families." "Traditionally those who migrate to the US make efforts to send assistance
for the support of their families. The assistance money on which we have already
paid taxes, often represents meager earnings obtained by the sweat of our
brow. The money sent is for the mere subsistence of our loved ones -- the
families left behind who nourished our lives and made us the men and women
we are today," said Fernández Levy. The Cuban American Alliance, asks legislators and the Clinton Administration
to protect and defend the rights of all citizens, immigrants and exiles in
the United States:
Waldo Parravicini of Monterey Park, California asks, "What's the yield of
a four-decade U.S.-Cuba policy? We still block the export of basic necessities
to Cubans and we apply double standards when it comes to Cuba -- there are
no embargoes against China or Viet Nam." The Cuban American Alliance Education Fund is a national non profit coalition
of Cuban American organizations that works for family reunification, educates
legislators on issues affecting the welfare of Cuban Americans, and favors
engagement as the best way to promote democratic values and assistance to
family and friends in Cuba. The Alliance publishes a Spanish/English newsletter,
La Alborada, which is distributed to persons interested in U.S.-Cuban affairs. Cuban American Alliance Education Fund, Inc.(CAAEF) Sponsored by :
Invited:
AMECA active members as well as professionals of the medical sciences, social
sciences and public health who are involved in teaching, research and services,
including administrators, epidemiologists, bio-statisticians, sociologists,
economists, historians, jurists, educators, engineers, anthropologists, and
others. Also invited are professionals who have completed or are completing
masters level work and/or courses in Public Health Modalities of Participation:
Research work, partial and/or complete, as well as work-related experiences,
bibliographic revisions, concept analysis and problem presentations, may be
presented in the form of posters, conferences, round tables and/or panels. Abstracts will be accepted until November 6, 1998. Topics:
Accommodations: Registration Fees:
Cubans : 40 Cuban pesos To register:
Send to AMECA or ENSAP the following:
Send it to these addresses: ASOCIACION MEDICA DEL CARIBE (AMECA). ESCUELA NACIONAL DE SALUD PUBLICA (ENSAP). "...Gripping and dramatic, a striking example of theater of ideas."
Vividly theatrical piece of music theater with a political bite- excerpts
from Brecht's plays, letters, diaries, HUAC appearance, and songs - Music
by Kurt Weill, Hans Eisler, and Bertolt Brecht. Presented by Trevis & Co., Directed by Di Trevis. Commemorating the 100th
anniversary of Brecht's birth. A benefit for Send a Piana to Havana, a Global
Exchange project which sends pianos to schools and kids in Cuba. Theater Artaud, 450 Florida St., SF Contact: Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO)/Pastors
for Peace The Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO)/Pastors for
Peace announces its plans to organize an eighth challenge to the 38-year old
economic blockade of Cuba. The US-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan will begin in
14 northern US cities as early as July 3 and is scheduled to arrive in Cuba
on July 23. This Friendshipment Caravan is dedicated to those who have suffered
the most under the US policy -- the elders and the children of Cuba. Churches and community groups in 150 cities are gathering aid and recruiting
volunteers to participate in the upcoming caravan in a direct challenge to
the US government's long-standing embargo. Hundreds of volunteers from across
the US, Canada, Mexico and from six European countries will participate in
the caravan, holding educational events in all 50 states. Caravan volunteers
will include clergy, laypeople from various denominations, young people and
citizens of six different European countries, Canada and Mexico. "People of good conscience cannot allow the US government's policy of intentionally
hurting innocent people to go unchallenged; especially when the victims are
the young and the aged," said Rev. Lucius Walker, Jr., IFCO executive director
and founder of Pastors for Peace. "This caravan will deliver as many as eight
mobile libraries, six busses and tons of urgently needed pediatric and geriatric
medicines." This people's challenge to the embargo comes at a time when much of the world's
attention is focused on Cuba:
"We are committed to non-violently challenging this policy until it ends,
despite the risks of fines and imprisonment," said Rev. Walker. Since 1992 IFCO has organized seven US-Cuba Friendshipment Caravans and has
successfully delivered 1500 tons of educational and medical aid to Cuban churches
and non-governmental agencies without applying for or accepting a US government
license. IFCO is a 30-year-old ecumenical agency committed to working for
social justice. IFCO/Pastors for Peace will hold a national press conference on Capitol Hill
Tuesday, June 11 at 11AM Press Triangle South East Corner of the Capitol ### For Immediate Release Miami, Feb 14,1998: Per the requests, and pleads from Pope John Paul II ,
to the unity and reconciliation of Cubans ,on his visit to Cuba last month,
the "Cuba AIDS Project" invites the residents of Miami to join with us In
the 10th annual AIDS walk, that will be held On Sunday, Feb. 22, at 930am
sharp, at Miami's Downtown Bayfront Park, at Biscayne Blvd. And NE. 3rd St.
Let's participate in this showing of love and cooperation, especially with
those in Cuba, who are the most needy: AIDS patients, the sick, the elderly,
and children. The project will Have a drop off area, where we will be Accepting
donations of: antiflu medications, Vitamins A, C, E, and Selenium, powdered
milk, And canned meat or fish. Joining us will be The children's relief agency,
"Yuniel's Hope", who will be accepting new ,or in good condition ,toys and
children's clothing. All help is directly delivered to patients and Clients,
through local parishes in Cuba, and accredited Cuban NGOs. Thank you.! For more info please call Cuba AIDS Project: (305) 531-4185 Given the humanitarian nature of this event , please refrain from
bringing Any signs of a political nature. Thank you. Miami, feb 13, 1998: siguiendo las peticiones y directivas del santo padre,
a la reconciliacion entre los Cubanos ,"el proyecto Cuba y el sida", cordialmente
invita al pueblo de miami , a participar con nosotros en "la 10ma caminata
contra el sida", que se llevara a cabo el domingo 22 de febrero, comenzando
a las 9:30am en punto desde biscayne blvd y la 3ra calle del ne. Partcipemos
en esta demostracion de Amor y cooperacion, en especial hacia aquellos que
en Cuba mas lo necesitan ; los pacientes de sida , enfermos, ancianos, y ni~nos.
El proyecto tendra un area, donde en lo que pudiesen, Donen algunos de los
siguientes donativos: toda clase de medicinas anticatarrales, vitaminas ,
a, c, e, y selenium, leche en polvo, y carne o pescado en lata. Tambien la
organizacion "yuniel's hope" ,"la esperanza de yuniel", que prestara ayuda
a la ni~nez en Cuba, estara aceptando juguetes de uso o nuevos. Toda ayuda
se entrega directamente a pacientes y ni~nos, mediante parroquias locales
en Cuba y ong's acreditadas , Muchas gracias. Para mas informacion, favor llamar al 305- 531-4185. "proyecto Cuba y el sida" "porque todos somos hermanos y hermanas" Dado que este es un acto humanitario, favor de no portar anuncios politicos!.
Gracias. Ana Lopez Marketing Director Habanos S.A. It is very disconcerting that a serious company try to appropriate the name
of one of the most famous and sought after cigars in the world, the COHIBA,
by taking advantage of the impossibility of Habanos S.A. to enter the United
States market because of the economic and financial blockade which has been
maintained by the United States government against Cuba for more than 30 years. The product bearing this brand name, the launching of which was recently
announced, neither offers the superior characteristics of the Habanos COHIBAS
nor compares with the quality of any of the other Cuban brands because it
lacks for crucial components which cannot enter the United States market:
a CUBAN wrapper, the CUBAN binder and the CUBAN filler all of which come from
the famous vegas of the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba; and the words "made in
Cuba". These essential elements contained in each Cuban cigar are what give
them their unique and inimitable "sabor". By the claim that one of these components is grown from Cuban seeds, the
producers attempt to link their product with the quality of Cuban cigars which
is a fraud on consumers because their tobacco is not grown in Cuba. All those
who are in the known are fully aware that the Cuban soil and climate as well
as the know-how of Cuban growers are indispensable to the uniqueness of Cuban
tobacco. Moreover, despite genetic experiments in many countries, no one has
been able to duplicate the genuine and unique Cuban seed. Undoubtedly this product will not confuse the expert cigar smoker that he
is smoking a genuine Cuban COHIBA. To those who are not connoisseurs, we wish
to remind them that there exists only one unique Habano COHIBA---the Cuban
COHIBA produced and manufactured in Cuba with 100% Cuban tobacco. Ana Lopez Marketing Director Habanos S.A. See also Comments & Observations on The Seizure
of Humanitarian Aid for a Letter to the Editor of the San Jose
Mercury News from David Wald See also Recent/Previous Days' Press Releases
Pastors for Peace
402 W 145th St, NYC 10031 212.926-5757; 212.926-5842 http://www.ifconews.org
Press Release - For Immediate Release
Cuban American Alliance Education Fund, Inc.(CAAEF)
CONTACT: Delvis Fernández Levy Tel: (202) 543-6780A Step In The Right Direction For President Clinton
But Further Steps Are Needed In U.S. Policy Towards Cuba
614 Maryland Ave. NE #2
Tel (202)543-6780 / Fax (202)543-6434
Washington, DC 20002-5825
E-mail: caaef@igc.apc.org
Web page: http://www.cubamer.org
First Scientific Meeting of Public Health Professionals
of the
Caribbean Medical Association (AMECA)National School of Public Health, Cuba
City of Havana, December 8-11, 1998
Local Havana hotels or student housing.
Others: $100 US dollars
Calle L 406 entre 23 y 25, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba. AP 6996.
Telefono: 55 2559. Fax: 66 2075 / 33 9086.
E-mail: bcimeq@infomed.sld.cu
Ave. 31 entre Aves. 146 &148, Rpto. Cubanacan, Playa, La Habana, Cuba. CP
11900.
Telefono: 32 8859 /98 5424 / 406744. Fax: 33 6278
E-mail: reizam@infomed.sld.cu
hadadj@infomed.sld.cu
Fund Raiser For The Send A Piana To Havana Project
Tuesday, November 3 in San Francisco
-Marilyn Mantay, Davis (CA) Enterprise
Tuesday, November 3, 7:30 pm $8.00;
Thursday, November 5 - Saturday, November 7, 8:00 pm
$15.00/$10.00 students and seniors, Sunday, November 8, 5:00 pm $15/$10.00.
Tickets are available at Theater Artaud box office 415-621-7797, TIX on
Union Square, and through BASS 510-672-BASS.
For Immediate Release -- June 4, 1998
IFCO/Pastors for Peace Announces Eighth Challenge to the US Embargo of
Cuba
National Press Conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC Scheduled
for June 11
212/926-5757 email: ifco@igc.apc.org
773/271-4817 email: p4p@igc.apc.org
Cuba Aids Project Joins Aids Walk 10 /Hosted By HCN/Miami
"Because we are all brothers and sisters"
Alert To Connoisseur Of The Cohiba Cigar.
September 22, 1997
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