Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, Minister for Health – Mary Isaac and Member of Parliament for Laborie, Honourable Alva Baptiste, will leave for Cuba today to pay homage to former Cuban president Fidel Castro. Cuba has been significantly involved in helping Saint Lucia improve its healthcare sector, most notably with the Cuban Miracle Eye Restoration program, specialized kidney and cancer care and hundreds of scholarships in the field of medicine for Saint Lucians. Earlier this year Cuba and Saint Lucia signed a new cooperation agreement on healthcare. Saint Lucia has had diplomatic relations with Cuba since 1979. World leaders, diplomats and people of all walks of life will pay homage in Havana from Monday November 28 until Tuesday November 29. Cuba has declared nine days of national mourning. The Cuban Embassy in Saint Lucia has made available a Book of Condolences for signature from 9am to 6pm this week until Saturday December 3rd. Persons wishing to sign can do so at the Cuban Embassy at Rodney Bay, Gros Islet. During the Prime Minister’s two-day absence Minister for Agriculture, Ezechiel Joseph will serve as acting Prime Minister.
