by Linda Straker
- Intensivist and a doctor in internal medicine part of Covid-19 medical team
- Grenada at present has conducted more than 1,200 rapid Covid-19 tests
As of Friday, 1 May 2020, the number of persons assigned to the Cuban medical team in Grenada became 37, when 2 more doctors arrived at Maurice Bishop International Airport and were welcomed by government officials as well as the Cuban ambassador in Grenada.
The 2 arrived on the same plane that delivered a team of doctors to Trinidad and Tobago earlier Friday.
“Cuba is pleased to contribute to Grenada’s fight against this pandemic. Your country can count always on Cuban solidarity. Our country is grateful for your continued solidary and we are proud of over deep friendship which has blossomed through the years,” Iraida de la Caridad Guerrero Zúñiga, Cuba’s Ambassador in Grenada told the medical personnel who will be working as part of the Ministry of Health Covid-19 medical team.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter David, who greeted them with an elbow bounce, said that the entire world owes a ton of gratitude to Cuba whose doctors are assisting with the fight in different countries including South Africa and Qatar.
“Cuba’s contribution to the international fight against Covid-19 is one of the remarkable stories of this crisis. The world has seen Cuban solidarity at its best. This is a selfless people, who have given time and time again, and in spite of their many challenges and pressure from some quarters, they have always stood steadfast,” he said during a short ceremony at the airport.
In welcoming the 2 doctors, one of whom is an intensivist and the other a doctor in internal medicine, Health Minister, Nickolas Steele, described Cuba’s contribution to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic as a great contribution and encouraged the doctors to see Grenada as their second home.
“Our international partners, Cuba especially, but also such countries as China and Venezuela have been of great assistance throughout this entire crisis. The Ministry of Health and the Government of Grenada have had great success in managing this situation,” said Steele. The health minister believes that taking all things into consideration, Grenada is in a good position mainly due to the discipline of the people.
“We will always remember the contribution of our friends,” he said. Grenada at present has conducted more than 1,200 rapid Covid-19 tests with kits donated from China and Venezuela and almost 200 PCR tests.
Grenada confirmed its first case in mid-March and to date, there are 20 confirmed cases with 6 labelled as active, meaning that all others have been declared recovered based on the relevant health protocols.
Dora
Grenadians
Be carefu
Why is Grenada always begging for help? The country has been independent for more than 40 years, but it still cannot stand on its own feet.
If the politicians would stop wasting money by constantly traveling, that would help.
Why did italy receive so many Cuban doctor’s? Did they beg or was there a need?Do you want to say that Italy had no doctor’s?
We all are facing extreme times and we all have to do what is necessary to stay safe. I work for Norwegian Cruise Line and todate the company has moved most if not all the crew members to guest cabins some with balconies. The food is not 100% perfect as compared to our lovly oil dawn and many other dishes, I so crave every day when I look at the food.
We all want to come home but if for now we are placed in a safe haven out in the ocean why would I want to leave and run the risk of contracting this virus in being moved to come home. I miss my family and friends very much everyday but it’s time these crew member realize that if you are save untill it saver to travel .shut your mouth!!!!
These same type of grenadians and caribbean people who used to clean bathroom and toliet they are now living in luxurious guest cabins, are the same ones crying out like if we are about to die on the cruise ship. Everyone is facing a difficult time as for me the little this company is doing in their capacity to keep us safe and still feed us, no bills and a cabin all to yourself , I appreciate because we are alive and safe at sea.
Some of this crew member living in board housing with rats running outside and cant see we are save untill its saver to leave.
Leave me where I am untill all this is over, i dont want to leave and get infected or infect anyone. By the way I have a big screen TV and a big bed I never had one like that when I was home. Also I used the time to come up with future plans.
If I cant get a flight to come get me on the Cruise ship straight to my bed in grenada , leave me alone please!!!!
I agree with you stay where you are safe…hopefully you will get home one day
These grenadians is unbelievable on this ship sometimes , why they not saying they sitting down playing dominoes every night. And that they living in big cabins and it’s a lie they said only corn beef and rice total lie!!!!.
One grenada approached me asking when anyone calls me from grenada or any news to make up a story making it seem that we are livid in bad conditions. I told him I will not ce apart of that
Thanks Kevin for the update. Continue to keep us updated and stay safe. Your sense of humor on this situation is also welcome. Everyday I wonder when will this be over. Iiving in New York is tough because I know of people who passed away from Covid 19. I am happy and thankful My family and I made it through April.
Sure out of respect for the company I will not post pictures of the same grendiana playing dominoes and living in guest cabins.
They are the ones that make it bad so next time when this is all over ofcourse they will never look o grenada again to hire perosns to work on the cruise ship.
The food is not perfect as I said but there is variety. Just this morning I had cream of wheat to drink with cinnamon in it. I say wait this is my grandmother style cooking. Actually tomorrow I will give a list of what saw on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner…its just sicknessing to hear this news coming from these crew member and I’m not saying there is no level of frustration but as compared to where you are now to when they get home….they want to have to go buy food on a specific day line up in town for hours.
Meals and living s prepared free onboard. What else you crew member want? Ohh I know they can to be infected!!! Give them what they want.
Ministers whoever’s leave me please untill this whole crisis is done untill from the ship to my bed in grenada.
How many doctors has the devil aka Donald Trump sent. RIP Mr Fidel
Thank you Cuba! China ! Venezuela ! allu are true friends. none, no money, no doctors, nothing from US. Because they don’t need us, they even try to expel some refugees.
Viva Cuba