Havana.– The Henry Reeve International Contingent of Doctors Specializing in Disasters and Serious Epidemics has provided some 3,600 consultations since arriving to the epicenter of the catastrophe caused by heavy rains in northern Peru in early April.
Dr. Enmanuel Vigil, one of the 23 members of the Cuban brigade working in the Catacaos area of Bajo Piura, spoke with the Cuban News Agency (ACN), noting that the majority of patients attending consultations are women and children, most of whom are suffering from respiratory and gastrointestinal infections due to the heavy rains and floods. He explained that the situation is under control thanks to their efforts.
Dr. Vigil noted that the line of people waiting to see the Cuban health personnel is long, and many have expressed their gratitude for their presence in this area.
For them we are like a miracle, the young doctor stated, who in undertaking his sixth mission with the Henry Reeve Contingent.
He recalled the words of the Mayor of Catacaos, Juan Francisco Cieza, who expressed appreciation for Cuban solidarity, and summed up his welcoming and grateful attitude with a popular expression: “You have fallen from the heavens.”

Vigil confessed that it was interesting to hear the Mayor liken the Cubans here to like ants, noting that are always busy doing something, “which is worthy of our admiration because they are the first to arrive and the last to leave,” in recognition of their tireless efforts.
The Cuban doctors are treating victims of the floods in five shelters, where they were evacuated following the worst rains in Peru in many years.
They are spread across the San Pablo camp – with 3,000 residents – the Km 980 camp – with 6,000 – as well as the Virgen Elena, Comunidad Campesina and Pedregal camps, where thousands more Peruvians are currently residing.
He confirmed that the 23 members of the brigade are working hard to stabilize the epidemiological situation, ensure that everyone is in good health and the Cuban collaborators enjoy adequate living and working conditions.
Regarding the work of epidemiologists, Vigil highlighted that they are doing everything possible to avoid mosquito infestations, by treating stagnant water and cleaning the shelters.
Vector control is a serious matter, the epidemiologists do wonders, together with other personnel, he added. He also praised the methods of these workers, who have even managed to incorporate children to the sanitation tasks in the shelters.
“Little by little we are winning the fight against disease. We continue in combat, with maximum morale, and the energies to work flat out,” he concluded. (ACN)