During a visit to the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology in Havana, the visitors inquired about the details of the National Cancer Program, a disease that is the second leading cause of death in this Caribbean nation, after heart disease.

According to Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, secretary general of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the meeting allowed him to witness firsthand the consequences of this hostile policy on the health system and its impact on the treatment of cancer patients.

For her part, Rev. Jihyun Oh, Permanent General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to observe the impact of her religious community’s pastoral work on the island and to witness the efforts of Cuba and its healthcare personnel to maintain medical care for the population.

At this center, the visitors learned from authorities of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) and the medical institution about the impact of Washington’s maximum pressure policy on combating the disease, and they toured the center’s pediatric ward.

Also participating in the meeting were Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary of the United Church of Canada, and Rev. Jimmie R. Hawkins, Director of Advocacy for the Office of Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., and the PCUSA Office of the United Nations.

The delegation, which will remain in Cuba for several days, also includes the General Secretaries of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Jerry Pillay; Bishop Anthony Poggo of the Anglican World Communion and Rev. Reynaldo Ferreira Leao Neto of the World Methodist Council.

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