They cannot block our hope

By: Leticia Guerra

Havana Province, Cuba. - Maria Virginia Lopez waits hopefully for the voting in UN General Assembly of draft resolution: “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the USA against Cuba.” This woman from Bauta has suffered in her own flesh the ruthless claws of the genocidist blockade. She can never forget that sad morning of July 11 2007 when she was told that she could not receive the treatment required for her gynecological tumor.

She and 120 women more were forced to undergo alternative, less efficient therapies, because of this mean extraterritorial policy.

Cuba cannot buy spare parts and radio-active batteries for the differed automatic loading machines to treat gynecological tumors. They are commonly known as bronchial therapy machines and had been purchased in Canada. The supplier was the MSD Nordion Company, which later sold the trade mark to US firm VARIAN. As a result of this transaction, Cuba was unable to further use several medical machines.

The blockade unleashes the most ferocious persecution against any firm or institution that trades with Cuba. VARIAN expectedly refused to sell the spare parts and radio-active batteries.

In spite of her sadness, Maria Virginia didn't lose hope. Shortly afterwards, she was informed that she could receive her treatment. The Cuban government bought the necessary equipment in Europe. Cases like these make Cuba lose around approximately $ 75, 7 millions every year. Machines in perfect shape have to be discarded because of lack of components manufactured in the United States.

Nevertheless, much to US government’s chagrin, no child of this land lacks free medical assistance.

Today, Maria Virginia waits hopefully for a fair vote because nobody can block our hope.

Translated by:Pedro A. Fanego

( 28/10/09 9:40 AM )