By. MSc. María Inés Álvarez Garay (*)
Latin American Medicine Day is celebrated in Cuba and other countries of the Great Homeland in commemoration of the birth of the wise Cuban epidemiologist Carlos Juan Finlay.
Finlay was born on December 3rd, 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 species of mosquito that today is known 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 a daily human right.
Also in his honor, the Cuban government 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 prominent way to health. Its objective is to promote research and advances in microbiology.
At the event held for the 20th anniversary of the Cuban Speleological Society, at the Academy of Sciences. Havana, January 15, 1960, our dear Fidel expressed:
“The future of our country must necessarily be a future for men of science, it must be a future for men of thought, because it is precisely what we are sowing the most; what we are sowing most are opportunities for intelligence ”.
Today the largest of the Antilles has a solid development in biotechnology research. It has fostered a strong scientific branch dedicated to the research and development 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 blockage 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 men; 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 the Caribbean nation, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, recognized that the results that have been achieved in different areas “constitute a reliable example of the contribution that Cuban science is making in this confrontation ”.
And what about our titans and heroic guerrillas in white coats, who, scattered throughout the world, tirelessly fight against diseases, who give free rein to their humanistic and supportive conscience and delve into science looking for a better future for all, defending the right everyday to health.
The Cuban Medical Brigade in The 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 trodden of actions and facts that speak by themselves, hundreds of thousands of people treated, lives recovered, successful surgeries, successful deliveries, dental care, diagnostic tests performed. , who have made history in a mission that has been collecting love and gratitude for more than 24 years from a people who know how to value their work and who are eternally grateful for their collaboration.
Congratulations on the Latin American Medicine Day!
(*) Professor and Collaborator of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Gambia
"An Island on a Continent" 