Quito, Nov. 28 - The First South American Congress of Graduates from the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), Cuba, will conclude today in the Ecuadorian capital after three days of academic presentations by professionals committed to the well-being of their communities.
At the event, organized by the International Medical Society (SMI-ELAM), doctors graduated from the Cuban educational institution founded by the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, in 1999, discussed topics such as gender violence, nutrition, cancer, prenatal care, health administration, among others.
Beyond the scientific experiences, the organizers highlighted the Congress as an opportunity to reaffirm the bonds of solidarity built around the Cuban public health model.
In statements to Prensa Latina, Chilean doctor Amaya Candia, president of SMI-ELAM, stated that this meeting marks a turning point to articulate research and development networks in public health.
Graduated in 2012, the physician emphasized that the event could allow progress toward an international cooperation platform among teachers, researchers, and ELAM graduates.
The rector of that higher education center, Leiram Lima, also considered the Congress a crucial opportunity to "resume ways of working at health levels in their different countries" and to strengthen collaboration.
"It is time to unite and see what more we can do," she noted, recalling that despite the time passed, the challenge of consolidating the project remains active, "a dream of Commander Fidel that has been so beautiful, so fruitful, and so positive."
"We want to develop and open ourselves up... seeking continuity for the health of our peoples and solidarity with the rest of the countries of the world," she expressed.
The Congress, which will close its academic sessions this Friday at the Andean University Simón Bolívar in Quito, features delegates from Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, the United States, Mozambique, among other nations.
As a closing event, tonight the delegates will participate in a cultural gala paying tribute to Fidel Castro in the year of the centenary of his birth, to be held at the Guayasamín House Museum headquarters.
