Lisandra Fariñas Acosta

These have not been typical days at the Central Unit of Medical Cooperation (UCCM). A total of 91 health processionals, among them doctors and nurses, took over the institution, responsible for preparing them for their departure to Liberia and Guinea Conakry, in West Africa, where they will join the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global effort to contain the Ebola epidemic in the region.

This is the second brigade of specialists being sent from Cuba, after the recent departure of the first contingent to Sierra Leone, in response to WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan’s call to the nations of the world to undertake a large-scale global effort to combat the virus afflicting several West African countries.

"It is a risky mission" says Lázaro de la Cruz Pineda, from Guantanamo, bluntly to Granma. He has already accumulated 34 years working as a nurse and is departing for a third time on a medical mission. He quickly adds, "The first time I went to Angola, I was only 18 years old, but this is more difficult. We don’t know where the illness will be and it will be the first time we have dealt with it."

After receiving theory, technical and practical preparation from IPK professionals, which include specialists from the WHO, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the UCCM itself, 53 of these men departed for Liberia and the other 38 to Guinea Conakry.

For one month they have been receiving training at the UCCM, on infectious hemorrhagic diseases, bio-security norms, health promotion and intensive courses in English and French; as well as other aspects related to conditions in the countries.

"Once we arrive we will continue preparing for 15 days, before starting to work with patients, as we must return to the homeland alive," stated Cruz Pineda, adding calmly, "We have helped each other in learning how to use medical protection and we will look after one another."

We spoke with several collaborators. Barley a few hours before they depart, they look clam and enthusiastic. And, when Leonardo Fernández, a doctor specializing in internal medicine and intensive therapy, spoke to me about his five pervious mission - of how he reaffirmed his revolutionary conviction in Nicaragua; his honor to have been a founder of the Henry Reeve Brigade; the earthquake in Pakistan and in Haiti; the civil war in East Timor; and his experiences working as a doctor in Maputo, in Africa - I didn’t hesitate in responding… but Liberia, and Ebola is a different case.

Then – on the eve of his seventh mission, at 63 years of age, Leonardo told me that he is the son of semiliterate parents and that what he is today - how he thinks and lives - he owes to the history of the country.

"I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, but more important that fear are principles, values and my commitment to Cuba and my family."

"How were they when you left them?" I ask.

"Calm, proud, content, because although we will be gone, they continue to support us. My commitment is also to them, because our mission is to help stop the transmission of the illness, save lives and prevent the virus from spreading to the rest of the world, at whatever risk and cost," he said.

"We are confident given the exceptional training we have received," added Ángel Mejías, also an internal medicine and intensive therapy specialist.

"Someone has to keep pace with Ebola and that’s what we Cubans are doing, committed to the task we are going to undertake and conscience of the importance of meticulously following all the necessary personal protection precautions.

Yadir Antonio López Mujica, a nursing graduate from the municipality of Quivicán in the province of Mayabeque, spoke of his gratitude for having had "strict but marvelous teachers."

"Listen journalist, don’t worry, just as we leave we will arrive, as we arrive we will triumph, and just as we triumph we will all return healthy and having accomplished our mission for the homeland."

Nurse Ricardo Zamora is happy to have been chosen among the almost 15,000 Cuban volunteers who reaffirmed their conviction to go and help combat the virus. "This mission is very important from a professional and humanistic point of view, and our contribution will be decisive in breaking the chain of transmission and eliminating the illness. We will take all the necessary measures to ensure we achieve this, without failing to protect ourselves, protect ourselves, protect ourselves."

Emer Reyes Pérez, a nursing masters graduate and specialist in first grade hygiene and epidemiology recalled that responding to this call is nothing more than an attempt to "pay the debt humanity owes to Africa."

"As well as to heal and treat, we will learn from this epidemic which is threatening to spread to the rest of the world. With human and government effort, Ebola can be contained."

We must take our hats off to these brave men. They tell us about their families, how they have become like brothers in the brigade, of their commitment to completing their mission and returning home. Dr. Lilio Fidel González Navarro, hygiene and epidemiology specialist departing for Guinea Conakry, can’t hide his emotions when talking about his wife who is a nurse, and daughter who is a doctor. "They understand and give me their total support."