The professionals - three doctors, two pharmacists and 15 nurses - will soon be dispatched to regions where the need is greatest.

The programme under which the Cuban doctors have come to Namibia was instituted in 1998 by the Cuban government.

It is aimed at offering humanitarian aid to the people of Latin America but was later extended to other countries in Asia and Africa.

The Second Secretary at the Cuban Embassy in Namibia, Evelio Sanchez Solis, told Nampa that at present 170 Cuban health professionals were working in Namibia, especially in some of the country's remotest areas.

They include 50 general practitioners, 53 medical specialists and 67 technicians.

Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Cuban Health Programme in Namibia and the day was commemorated with cultural activities.

Nampa

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