Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Cuba offers Belize more medical scholarships
02-16-2007

HAVANA, Cuba (ACN): A group of 20 Belizeans will join others taking medical courses at the Havana-based Latin American School of Medicine. They will start their course on March 1.

The young men and women will join another 161 Belizeans studying on the island thanks to a Cuban program of full tuition, accommodation, and scholarship for medicine.

Cuban Ambassador to Belize, Eugenio Martinez, met with the students and briefed them on Cuban history and society. The students said they are excited about coming to study in Cuba and learning Spanish. They also expressed their gratitude for this opportunity offered to those who are not financially well off.

"It's a great pleasure to receive this scholarship because I know Cuba has one of the best medical schools; I plan to study cardiology because I have noticed that a lot of people die from heart diseases," said Wilhelm Casey, scholarship recipient.

The students will return home after their six-year course and offer their service to the Belizean people.

"This year particularly, we have students from all districts. They have a commitment to their communities to work in the villages when they return; particularly, in the poorest areas of the south of the country, which are rich in resources, but poor in qualified personnel," said Teresita Levy.