Cuba at the ready - Country has partnered with Jamaica for Ebola preparedness

The Cuban government will be sending two experts to provide training for health-care and front line workers in Ebola preparedness, response and management. They will also train Cuban workers presently deployed to Jamaica.

This was announced by Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson during a press briefing held at the ministry's head office yesterday, at which he gave an update on the recent visit of a delegation to Cuba.

"Cuba will also provide training for the 30 health-care workers, who are slated to arrive in Jamaica in November, prior to their arrival, as part of the current HR agreement, and has also undertaken to train those Cuban health workers who are already in Jamaica," Dr Ferguson said.

Meanwhile, Dr Ferguson indicated that Cuba has agreed to deploy doctors and nurses to assist in the response in the event that Jamaica experiences an outbreak of Ebola.

"In addition, Cuba will share information with Jamaica daily on the progress of the Ebola response in West Africa through its Control Centre, to keep us updated on the epidemiological situation and other important information required for decision making," Dr Ferguson explained.