Cuba's Minister of Health Jose Ramon Balaguer extolled the work of the Cuban doctors in Guatemala, for which they were awarded the Human Rights National Prize in this capital.

"This distinction shows that you have fulfilled with the mission entrusted by President Fidel Castro," said Balaguer at the closing ceremony of the sixth scientific conference of the Cuban Medical Brigade.

In their nine years of presence in Guatemala, Cuban doctors have offered more than 22 consultations, saved the lives of about 250,000 people and reduced half the infant mortality rate in the areas where they are working.

Nearly 70 nations in the world are benefited from the labour of more than 30,000 Cuban health workers, said Balaguer, adding that humanitarian task denies all the lies spread by the enemies of his country.

The Cuban delegation will visit Santa Rosa department today, where it will exchange with another group of Cuban health workers and Guatemalan graduated from the Latin American School of Medicine.

(PL)