Hugo Chavez Praises Work of Cuban Health Professionals in Venezuela

“They are heroes and heroines who are making their best efforts in favor of the health and well-being of the Venezuelan people,” said Chavez during a rally in the state of Lara on Sunday.

The leader pointed out that this assistance will continue only if the Socialist party remains in control in the National Assembly after the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for September 26.

Bilateral relations in the health sector have experienced an increasing development between Cuba and Venezuela since 2000 when the presidents of both countries signed a Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement in this field.

One of the results of this accord is the Barrio Adentro mission, as part of which thousands of Cuban health professionals have provided their free services in all the Venezuelan territories and have contributed to the opening of hundreds of centers for comprehensive diagnosis and rehabilitation.

Also in the framework of the bilateral agreement, thanks to the Operation Miracle free eye-surgery program, thousands of Venezuelans have recovered or improved their sight.