[Reprinted from the Miami Herald, April 15, 2020] Racing to prevent the collapse of their healthcare systems overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic, vulnerable Caribbean nations last month turned to a neighboring country in a desperate plea for help. They didn’t look to the United States. They asked Cuba. Over eight days the Caribbean island, which has remodeled medical cooperation into its … [Read more...]
No US COVID-19 medical equipment for the Caribbean under Trump policy
As nations around the world scramble to secure PPE and ventilators to fight the global pandemic, the US is on the offensive and blocking the Caribbean region from getting much-needed equipment. n an earlier story, we posted, it seems as though (20) ventilators destined for Barbados was seized by the US. The shipment was part of the $1.4 million in assistance pledged by Barbados-born … [Read more...]
The little Caribbean Island that overcame amazing odds to get covid-19 tests
This is an amazing story of a small Caribbean island of 60,000 people despite overwhelming odds were able to secure more than enough coronavirus test kits for its population with enough left over to share with another Caribbean island. This is a classic example for all other countries both big and small to learn of what sheer determination, courage, personal relationships combined can produce. … [Read more...]
Caribbean nations can’t get U.S. masks, ventilators for COVID-19 under Trump policy
Caribbean nations struggling to save lives and prevent the deadly spread of the coronavirus in their vulnerable territories should not look to the United States as they seek to acquire scarce but much-needed protective gear to fight the global pandemic A spokesperson from U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed to the Miami Herald that the agency is working with the Federal Emergency … [Read more...]
PAHO director calls for protection of health workers in the Caribbean
Dr. Carissa F. Eitienne, PAHO Director The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has urged countries in the region to protect health care workers by ensuring that they have access to personal protective equipment and supplies needed to care for patients affected by COVID-19. The plea was made by PAHO’s Dominican born Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne who was speaking during a press briefing on … [Read more...]