In 1963, the first group of Cuban collaborators arrived in Algeria, made up of 55 professionals including doctors, nurses, and technicians. Little more than sixty years later, around six thousand health specialists have worked in medical missions in the African nation, where 763 Cuban health professionals are currently working.

“We are in Algeria in 4 wilayas (provinces): Djelfa, Béchar, El Oued and Ouargla. We develop seven care programs: maternal and child health, oncology, urology, and four ophthalmology programs,” says Eucalia Mantilla Cañizares, Head of the Medical Services Department of the Cuban Medical Services Trading Company S.A.

Eduardo Ojeda Timoneda, director of the Central Unit for Medical Cooperation in Cuba, adds that “the programs have been modified and refined according to the needs of healthcare in Cuba and with a view to international work. This translates into a high scientific preparation of professionals, which enables their integration into the countries where cooperation agreements are established.”

As a result of this work, maternal and infant mortality has been significantly reduced, vision has been saved for a population with a high rate of ocular diseases, and oncological conditions are detected and treated at early stages with satisfactory results. “It is the flagship country of Cuban cooperation,” Mantilla affirms.

Cuban doctors are located in desert areas, where it is very difficult for their Algerian counterparts to reach. “There are gynecologists, pediatricians, neonatologists, ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, general practitioners, nutritionists, a group of biomedical engineers responsible for equipment repair, as well as nursing and health technology graduates,” she explains.

Algeria has a high pregnancy rate. To address this, Cuba sends family medicine specialists with advanced training in gynecology and obstetrics. The selected group rotates through specialized hospitals in Cuba so that, upon arrival in the cooperation setting, they are prepared to perform deliveries and surgical procedures.

Climate conditions in Algeria are conducive to retinal conditions, including detachment. Ophthalmologists must be prepared to perform surgeries, for which they receive intensive training at the Pando Ferrer Hospital before departing to the North African country.

“Cooperants work in specific programs according to Algeria’s needs; therefore, priorities include ophthalmology-related health issues, child and women’s care, pregnancy, and urological conditions,” summarizes Ojeda Timoneda.

In general, Cuban collaborators are prepared for all countries. Depending on the request, selection is made. They receive training in the use of high-tech equipment and IT tools.

Once the cooperation country is defined, preparation is further refined according to its specific requirements. This process includes training in Cuban provincial and national institutions and receiving information about the region and its particular characteristics.

Regarding language, Dr. Eduardo Ojeda Timoneda explains that professionals are trained according to the language of the destination country. Language courses are provided systematically and conclude at the Central Unit for Medical Cooperation, combined with clinical work.

In Algeria, says Dr. Eucalia Mantilla Cañizares, “when they arrive, translators are available, but the collaborators manage to master Arabic and communicate with patients in that language.”

The treatment of Cuban professionals in Algeria is excellent. “We feel supported by the Algerian authorities and people, who always ensure the best conditions for the collaborators to carry out their work.”

To integrate into the culture of the destination country, collaborators receive support from previous mission participants, professors from the Central Unit for Medical Cooperation, and experts from the Ministries of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Foreign Affairs, and Public Health.

All these factors ensure that Cuban professionals strictly comply with the protocols of the host country, which fosters respect from local authorities and professionals, as well as acceptance from the population.

“In the case of Algeria,” says Dr. Ojeda Timoneda, “there is a history of Cuban professional presence that has become a benchmark for Algerian healthcare.”

The specialist explains that both governments, as well as their respective ministries of health, are directly involved in this cooperation. “Cuban cooperation continues in the demanded programs; what has changed are the specific characteristics of each one and the wilayas of implementation, which respond to the country’s evolving needs.”

Regarding future prospects, the Head of the Department of Medical Services Abroad of the Cuban Medical Services Trading Company S.A. announced that work is underway with the Algerian side to open new programs such as radiology, due to the need for specialists trained in reading X-rays and CT scans.

“A constant evaluation process is carried out by both parties in order to design strategies that contribute to the well-being and health of the Algerian people.”

By: Raúl Abreu Martín