Our country does not drop bombs on other people or create viruses; we train our doctors to save lives…Former Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Since the outbreak of this deadly virus, the health systems of many countries have been strained to a point of collapse, including that of the superpowers who underrated the potency of the outbreak. Currently, almost every country is adopting reactionary mechanisms to mitigate the spread and damages of the viruses.

Amidst the struggles, one of the countries standing tall and willing to cross borders to face this fight is Cuba. Currently, Cuba is supplying many countries, including Italy, Brazil, Grenada Germany, Venezuela among others with healthcare providers.

Known to be a quality health service provider, Cuba as a country has over the years produced well trained doctors with capabilities to deal with various types and degrees of health problems. In fact, the Cuban health sector is an important export earner for the country. They have been of great service to the world, considering how important health needs are to humanity.

One person who deserves to be referenced and given due credit is Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, Cuban communist revolutionary and politician who governed the country as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers. He has played a key role in pushing for what the world is benefiting from today.

By focusing on this area of understanding, curing/preventing diseases as severe as meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis, producing vaccines with genetic engineering techniques, discover therapeutic formulas through molecular immunology and other sophisticated health threatening conditions, Cuba has faced numerous accusations of engaging in nuclear and biological weapon production. However, in one of his speeches delivered in 2003 at Buenos Aires, Fidel Castro stated clearly that, Cuba does not engage in anything of that sort.

According to him, “Our country does not drop bombs on other peoples, nor does it send thousands of planes to bomb cities; our country does not possess nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, or biological weapons. Our country’s tens of thousands of scientists and doctors have been educated in the idea of saving lives. It would absolutely contradict this concept to put a scientist or a doctor to work to produce substances, bacteria or viruses to kill other human beings”

Speaking on the crave to create and lay hold on power for superiority at all costs, Castro said that, “since I am an optimist, I think this world can be saved in spite of the mistakes made, in spite of the immense hegemonic powers that have been created, because I believe ideas prevail over force”.

Although some people hold reservations on Castro from their respective subjective views, we celebrate him today for the benefits the world is deriving from his resolute leadership and the accumulated efforts from the successive governments after his regime till date. May his soul rest in perfect peace!