Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 22:46:25 +0200
<http://www.africaw.com/the-ebola-battle-cuba-a-friend-in-need> The Ebola
Battle: Cuba a friend in need
12.10.2014
When it comes to the case of Africa, only few people care and only few
countries outside the continent remember Africa. Cubans are always among the
very few people who care and Cuba is always among the very few countries who
step in to help Africa. Cuba has been Africa's friend in need for a very
long time. Even during Africa's struggle for independence, Cuba was there to
help. It is another great time of need and Cuba is already in Africa to
help.
The Ebola virus disease is spreading like wild fire across West Africa.
Thousands of people have lost their lives and thousands more are waiting on
fate. Western countries including the United States of America are
tightening their borders so as to prevent Ebola patients from entering their
countries. This is infact a very good move because it will help prevent the
spread of the Ebola virus disease to western countries. China has blocked
all Ebola-stricken countries in Africa from entry. In other words, No person
from an Ebola-stricken country in Africa is permitted entry into China at
this time. This also is a very good move considering China's population
size. Ebola can release a very severe blow should it get access to
mainstream China. The United States of America is tightening its borders. In
fact, people from Ebola-stricken countries in Africa are given special
treatments at airports such as the J.F.K airport in New York. At the J.F.K
airport for example, people from Ebola-stricken countries are forced to get
their temperature taken and health documents checked before allowing entry.
This is also a very good move considering the fact that the virus has
already entered America killing a patient. In other words, western countries
are doing great in securing their borders. However, when it comes to
fighting the virus in the Ebola-stricken zones, western countries do not
seem to care that much. In fact, some western countries do not care at all.
Australia has made it very clear that it is not ready to send its health
workers into harm's way. In other words, Australia is not going to send its
health workers to any Ebola-stricken zone because of the fear of the virus.
Although the response has been very slow, the United States unlike Australia
has committed money and several resources to the fight against Ebola. China
is only busy securing its borders and countries like Russia and Germany are
far asleep and cannot be bothered at all as far as Ebola is concerned.
However, despite the painful rejection by some western countries, it may
surprise you to know that Africa is not alone in this fight. Cuba has joined
the fight. It would be very unfair to continue this article without given
some credit to the charity organization 'Doctors without Borders', also
known as the Medecins Sans Frontieres. This charity organization until now
has been the only external help for Ebola patients. Doctors Without Borders
although lacking greatly in resources and medical personnel, has helped a
lot in the fight against Ebola in places like Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra
Leone.
According to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, "We need a
20-fold resource mobilization," and "We need at least a 20-fold surge in
assistance - mobile laboratories, vehicles, helicopters, protective
equipment, trained medical personnel, and medevac capacities." The sad truth
however is that, big hitters such as China , Brazil, and former colonial
powers such as France and the UK, have not been stepping up to the plate.
Instead, the single biggest medical force on the Ebola frontline has been a
small island: Cuba. Cuba a small island of just 11 million people has taken
the lead in the fight against Ebola while giant advanced nations like China,
Brazil, Russia, Australia, etc., just stand and watch.
Fidel Castro Africa
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