France donates 18 tons of medical supplies to Cuba to fight COVID-19

HAVANA, May 5 (EFE) – The French government on Thursday delivered to Cuba 18 tons of medical equipment and supplies worth more than $1.6 million to fight the epidemic in health institutions.

The shipment includes antigen tests, surgical masks, FFP2 (KN95), examination gloves, respirators, circuits and filters for respirators, disposable gowns, protective screens and sampling kits, a detailed report from the Cuban state news agency (ACN) said.

The French ambassador to Havana, Patrice Paoli, stated that the donation is made with the support of solidarity and cooperation between the two countries in the field of health, but also in the academic, cultural, scientific, urban and agricultural fields.

The French diplomat highlighted the island government’s “brilliant management” in controlling the health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He specifically referred to the large-scale vaccination campaign with the vaccines created on the island (which already reaches 90% of the population with full guidelines) and respect for health measures.

Upon receiving the grant, the Director of Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Magalis Estrada, considered it a sample of the bilateral relations that come in the current context, which is characterized by the strengthening of the American economic blockade. against the island.

In 2020, France made a similar donation to Cuba, providing respirators, protective equipment, gowns, masks and diagnostic test kits, amounting to more than 5 million euros ($5.26 million).

Cuba has in recent months received donations from Russia, the United States, Mexico, Japan, China, Nicaragua and Vietnam, among others, from both governments and private groups.

Last year, it received 135 donations from 40 countries, mostly medical supplies and equipment for immunization and epidemic control, according to official data.

Cuba has been in a serious crisis for months due to a combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tightening of US sanctions, and the failure to manage the national economy. EFE

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