Haiti’s history seems more star-crossed than ours. They were also invaded by the USA, but much later, in July 1915 and the occupation ended in 1934, when the blueprints of the Philippine Commonwealth were almost done. From 1957 to 1986, Haiti was ruled by the Duvalier dynasty. Francois (Papa Doc) and son Jean Claude (Baby Doc), both presidents-for-life, reigned with terror using zombies and the dreaded Tonton Macoute. In February 1991, Jean Aristide, ex-priest and victim of Duvalier’s incredible cruelty, became the first popularly-elected president of Haiti. There were no public services to speak of in that first republic of the Caribbean.

Today, there is a presidentelect in the person of Rene Preval and his initial move was to visit Cuba. That will probably provoke the ire of a powerful neighbor but Mr. Preval believes it is important to reestablish links with a country that has remained at Haiti’s side, through thick and thin. Mr. Preval is aware that health is Haiti’s most urgent problem and that Cuba is an affordable and reliable source of assistance. After all, in the past six years, Cuban doctors remained steadfast and were tirelessly working in Haiti’s remotest and most depressed areas, where even locals dared not go.

During his visit to Cuba, Mr. Preval was accompanied by a multi-disciplinary delegation that included agronomists, physicians and healthcare workers, artists and advocates of culture. As expected, he received a red carpet reception after which he had several "fraternal and intense talks" with President Fidel Castro. That is the beauty of South-South relations; these usually go beyond diplomatic rituals and motherhood statements and are in-depth discussions about how the two countries, Cuba and Haiti, should face local and global challenges. Upon his return, .President-elect Preval affirmed that the encounter with the Cuban leader resulted in very concrete measures which will be set in place by joint committees in June and July of this year. Mr. Preval reiterated his commitment to the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean, in particular, the promotion and strengthening of relations with Cuba.

Since the outstanding breakthrough in medical science and biochemistry, Cuba has been offering and sending aid to many Third World countries. In Haiti, Cuban doctors are also training students and practitioners gravely affected by decades of political turmoil and economic deterioration. To date, Cuban doctors have performed a hundred thousand operations and have attended to eight million consultations in Haiti. Over and above that, Haitian patients have also been sent to Cuba, in particular to the eastern province of Santiago, for more sophisticated medical treatments. "Operation Miracle" a joint Cuban-Venezuelan project has offered free ophthalmologic attention to indigents in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Haiti, some six hundred afflicted persons have undergone sight-saving surgery. (source: PhilippineCuban Association).

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the first ever republic in Asia, doctors are transforming themselves to nurses and caregivers, hoping to get lucrative jobs in the USA and Canada where ‘baby boomers’ are now coming of age. There is news about Indian doctors coming over to fill that vacuum. Could their Cuban colleagues be far behind? (gemma601@yahoo.com) Tune in "Krus na daan," DZRJ, 810 khz, Monday-Friday, 5 -6 pm.

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