Por Blanca Bonachea 
Doctor Ruber Ortiz Legrá from Matanzas is part of the army in white coats that went to save lives in Turkey, after an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit that nation and Syria on February 6. Due to the loss of human and material lives, it represents the deadliest and strongest in both countries since 1822 and 1939, respectively.
Solidarity with these nations was present from the outset. Doctors and rescuers came from various places to help families get out of the rubble and somehow regain hope.
Cuba also extended its helping hand to Turkey. A total of 32 specialists, 20 of them doctors and the rest nurses and support personnel made up the delegation of the largest of the Antilles who participated in the recovery of the affected cities.
The man from Matanzas, a First Degree Specialist in Comprehensive General Medicine, comments that since his arrival they worked in the emergency services of the Necil Fazil provincial hospital, and treated patients with various conditions related or not to the earthquake.
«Since our arrival in Turkey and especially in the city of Karamanmarash, the Turkish people have welcomed us with open arms and expressed innumerable thanks to our country and our people».
«When we pass by some place and they ask us where we are from, immediately, upon learning that we are from Cuba, they make a gesture of affection, put their hand on their chest and mention the name of Che and Fidel. Undoubtedly, the Turkish people feel great affection, admiration and gratitude towards Cuba.»
Ortiz Legra, member of the medic brigade Henry Reeve, complied mission in Azerbaiyan on 2020 as a answer to the solicitude of that country before the impact of the COVID-19, which means a great experience on his professional career. There checked that nether the language and the culture are barrier to the health arrive to everyone.
The experiences are many and despite of the cultural differences, religious and idiomatic, the Cuban medicine its found the way to contribute to relieve the pain of a great numbers of peoples that nor only are affected fiscally, but mentally also.
Yesterday when attended patients in a community far away from the city, a woman take close to the translator to tell him that us take a long time making a consult, that others medics were more faster, but they liked our way of attention, because we examine them very well.
Also i want to stand out the high quality and the excellent preparation that posses the Turks professionals, particularly in the health.
Ruber actually realized the Cardiology specialty and before the application of the direction of the country to integrate a brigade to leave to Turk republic show total disposition. In Cuban ground he remember the family that stay on the other site of the planet and make stronger the ties of friendship and cooperation between both countries.
Translated by Casterman Medina de Leon