Cuban Medical Internationalism: The Ebola Campaign of 2014–15

Abstract

This article examines the Cuban response to Ebola in West Africa, specifically in the three countries where the Cuban medical personnel focused their efforts – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. It analyses the situation in West Africa as the disease rapidly spread, the international response and the Cuban reaction. In particular, it assesses the impact of Cuba's contribution and concludes with some thoughts about what can be learned from this short (6-month) campaign of the Henry Reeve Contingent, which specialises in responding to natural disasters and medical emergencies. The article finds that there are important lessons for the international community regarding responses to future outbreaks. Diseases such as Ebola do not respect international borders and cannot be overcome with promises of resources or money. In this case, Cuba's response – of a highly trained healthcare workforce of doctors, nurses, technicians and others – remains unique.