The Hamilton Friendship Association with Cuba is pleased to welcome Dr. José de Jesús Portilla García to McMaster Campus on Thursday May 28.  Dr. Portilla Garcia is taking part in a nation-wide tour organized by the Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC) to discuss the invaluable contribution of the Cuban medical brigades to the global fight against Ebola in the West African nations of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

 Standing side-by-side with the peoples of West Africa, more than 450 Cuban doctors and nurses – chosen from more than 15,000 volunteers - went to West Africa and joined the struggle against Ebola. The Cuban medical mission was by far the largest sent by any country.

Internationally recognized for their unique and successful model of medical internationalism, with tens of thousands of medical personnel stationed around the globe, Cuba has been at the forefront of disaster medical relief for decades. Always the first to send the most when disaster strikes, including to Indonesia, following the Tsunami and to Haiti and Pakistan following the earthquakes, Cuba consistently punches above its weight when it comes to medical relief work.  Come to see why Cuba’s unique medical brigades are renowned worldwide for their contribution to global health and friendship between nations.

About Dr. Portilla Garcia: Dr. Portilla García has considerable experience in and knowledge of Cuba's medical internationalist missions across the globe. He has had a distinguished career. Highlights include: chief of Cuban medical personnel during Cuba's internationalist mission in the former Republic of Congo; head of PCC’s Department of Heath for the province of Havana and director of the Department of Bilateral Collaboration in the Ministry of Public Health.  Dr. García Portilla also represents Cuba at various international conferences and gatherings.