(independantexpress.net)
Togo received a Cuban medical delegation on Monday to help the country in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Known around the world for its expertise in medicine, Cuba, this Caribbean island state does not hesitate to support developing countries in the event of a disaster or epidemic.
While the new coronavirus is claiming thousands of deaths worldwide, The Cuban policy initiated after the 1959 revolution of sending medical personnel abroad is proving its worth in several countries. As the crisis intensifies, many countries, including developed countries, need medical assistance to recover and repel this evil. To date, Cuba has sent its health aid to some 15 countries around the world, including Italy, Angola, Belize, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
The medical team sent to Togo is made up of a dozen specialized doctors who will join the government's efforts to stop the spread of covid-19 in the country. This assistance comes at the right time to support medical staff facing an unprecedented crisis. The experience of these specialists in pneumology, epidemiology, resuscitation, etc., will be useful for Togo. On April 17, 2020, eighty and three (83) cases of covid-19 contamination and five (5) deaths.
Compared to European and Asian countries as well as America, it must be recognized that progress in Togo and overall in Africa is slow. However, prevention is still strong and Cuban doctors, who have very often worked on epidemics around the world, will provide Togo with significant support in this fight.
This policy of aid to poor countries, implemented by Cuba several years ago, is one of the pillars of so-called South-South cooperation. This term refers to technical cooperation between developing countries. A practice used by states, international organizations, academics, civil society and the private sector to collaborate and share knowledge, skills and successful initiatives in specific areas.
Agricultural development, human rights, urbanization, health and climate change are areas generally affected by this cooperation.
The great powers have long been the purveyors of Africa. But this crisis that has taken the world by no means is forcing these states to focus on their populations, thus reviving the question of cooperation between poor countries. This view, born of the desire of underdeveloped countries to be part of the non-alignment movement, is very difficult to implement because in a crisis situation, many of these countries prefer to seek the help of the major powers.
The global health crisis should prompt reflection on strengthening relations between the countries of the South. A pooling of sustained development efforts would undeniably lead poor countries to achieve collective goals and succeed.
For now, hopes are dwindling; the health crisis has an unprecedented social, economic and humanitarian impact. According to experts, it raises fears of a global recession with serious consequences for the global economy. An exit from the crisis is expected in the coming months, with a considerable decrease in the number of new contaminations. It is likely to lead to a restructuring of the global economic order.
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Eric G.