FRATERNITY EXTENDS TO THE WORLD

Though initially Operation Miracle only benefited Cuban and Venezuelan patients, today the project has been extended to 25 countries.
The goal is achieving a rhythm of 600.000 operations a year equally divided between Caracas and Havana hospitals and to establish new medical facilities to carry out eye surgery in other Latin American countries.
The mastermind of this humanitarian initiative is Cuban President Fidel Castro who has also offered the benefits of Operation Miracle to some 100,000 poor US citizens, but Washington has not replied.
"Thank you, Fidel", "thank you, Chavez", these are the most common phrases heard when the patients are interviewed by a journalist searching for an anecdote or an opinion on Operation Miracle.
It is not that hard to imagine how much this altruistic program has represented to all those who lived in a world of darkness, without the possibility of seeing their loved ones.
A couple of years ago, those patients could not even dream of undergoing eye surgery due to its high cost in the region -400 to 600 dollars excluding postoperative treatment.
For the development of this project, Venezuela spends a fraction of the income from its oil industry while Cuba contributes with high-tech medical equipment and highly qualified staff.
The island's low infant and maternal mortality rates are similar to those in developed countries. A constant monitoring of pregnant women and the immunization of children against 13 preventable diseases are chief factors in the achievement of these outstanding results.
Giving everybody full access to medical services by the year 2000, Cuba became the first Latin American nation that complied with the goals on primary healthcare assistance established by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Cuba unselfishly shares its progress in the healthcare sector while around the world consumer models and corporative interests reign.
According to global statistics, there are presently 180 million blind people around the world, 80% attributable to curable or preventable diseases. Only in Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of those affected is estimated at over 5 million, often losing the vision without ever seeing a specialist.

OPERATION MILAGRO WIDELY EXTOLLED

Several political leaders in the region have praised Operation Miracle after meeting patients who have already benefited from this project.
Saint Vincent and Grenadines PM, Ralph Gonsalves, called the initiative "fantastic" and said he was overcome by emotion when he talked to patients operated from cataracts who have recovered their sight after many years living in darkness.
Likewise, Guyanese President, Bharrat Jagdeo, said to be very impressed by the development of medicine in Cuba while he visited "Pando Ferrer" Ophthalmologic Institute, in Havana, and met Guyanese patients operated on there.
Operation Miracle has also been welcomed by Panamanians. Panama's President, Martin Torrijos, and First Lady, Vivian Fernandez, are promoting an agreement thanks to which some 48,000 Panamanians will travel to Cuba during the next 4 years to undergo free eye surgery.
Panamanian vice president Samuel Lewis also had the opportunity to witness the benefits of Operation Miracle which he defined as "a direct message to the soul."
Other prominent figures in the region have also expressed their opinion by describing Operation Miracle as a "wonderful and unprecedented experience," which has restored optimism and a quality life to a large number of Latin Americans. It has also shown the world how much we can do for humanity if we just try.

(AIN) 06-04-2006