40 U.S citizens get Cuban medical degrees

In spite of the U.S anti-Cuba economic, commercial and financial blockade, 40 U.S citizens were awarded medical degrees (BMD) after finishing their studies here and new scholarships are also being granted to low-income American youths. The new medical graduates studied at the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) and received their degrees at a ceremony attended by members of the U.S 22nd Pastors for Peace Caravan that arrived here on July 22. Helen Berstein, coordinator of the 22nd Caravan thanked Cuba's gesture to offer scholarships to U.S citizens at the ceremony held at the the Victoria de Giron School of Medical Sciences here. The Cuban people's generosity is great because in spite of the U.S over 50-year economic, financial and commercial blockade, its attitude is revolutionary and is pure love, she added. "We also thank Cuban leader Fidel Castro and President Raul Castro. It's a dream-come-true for these U.S young people who are now medical doctors and who can now fulfill their social commitment", said Berstein. The ELAM is a university with the mission of training general medical practitioners specialised in providing primary health care, with the best of scientific, humanistic, ethical and solidarity training. In its webpage, the university said it is home to students from 110 Latin American and Caribbean countries, plus the United States, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Till last year, ELAM had graduated 8,600 youths from 54 countries, namely from the poorest sectors of their societies and represent a wide range of ethnicity and educational and cultural background. sources said. Pastor for Peace Caravan embodies a yearly challenge to the blockade and highlights the need to end the measure for which Cuba has officially lost so far US$751.363 billion.