WINDHOEK: The Namibia Cuba Friendship Association (NAMCUFA) has called for the immediate removal of Cuba from America’s list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

NAMCUFA secretary general, Cecilia Muzile made the plea Saturday while speaking at a medical outreach programme in Windhoek, organised by a number of local doctors who studied medicine in Cuba, in partnership with the Cuban Embassay in Namibia. The event was hosted in Greenwell Matongo and saw the participation of nine local medical doctors and two Cuban doctors. The public was treated to free Tuberculosis, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, STD and mental illness screenings.

Muzile also called on the lifting of an economic embargo imposed on Cuba. The event, she said was organised ahead of the 71st anniversary of Cuba’s Moncada victory, commemorated annually on 26 July.

‘While celebrating Moncada, we should not forget the continued suffering of our Cuban brothers and sisters under the criminal and inhumane economic blockade imposed illegally by the United Sta
tes of America. NAMCUFA wishes to congratulate the heroic people of Cuba on the anniversary of the victory of Moncada,’ Muzile added.

In May, the Namibian Government also condemned the USA’s continued placement of Cuba on the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list, saying it is unjustified. The Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Penda Naanda stressed that the placement has led to the continued negative impacts on the Cuban economy and its people.

‘The US Government is reminded of the hardship faced by the Cuban people, emanating from the unjust placement of Cuba on the SST list. The Cuban people continue to suffer exclusions from international aid and trade, owning to the country’s continuous status quo on the SST list,’ Naanda said at the time.

Speaking to Nampa, Medical Officer at Star Medical Services, Tangeni Shiimi said the medical outreach programme targets members of the public without medical aid and will form part of the medical practice’s annual corpora
te social responsibility.

‘We are doing this for the community as a way of giving back. We are also testing for diabetes, which is a prevalent disease in our communities,’ Shiimi said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency